Purppl’s Purposeful People series: Eve Layman

TOTA’s Destination Development and Stewardship Specialist, Eve Layman, sat down with Purppl to discuss sustainability advocacy and building a resilient tourism industry.

Small Business and Tourism Operator Preparedness Social Media Package

The Government of British Columbia has created a toolkit for organizations and associations that support small businesses and tourism operators, including Indigenous and local governments, that can be used to encourage followers to prepare for emergencies.

Congratulations to the Boundary Country Spark Program Winners!

Three finalists from Boundary Country who made winning pitches have been awarded a $3000 seed grant and mentorship to help them kick start their new tourism ideas.

The Boundary Country “Spark” Program winners are: 

• Lisa Houston – Christina Lake Sauna Experience

• Carissa Boynton – Hotel Midway as a Tourism & Community Hub

• Rocio Graham – Christina Lake Mushroom Festival

Okanagan College Women in Beverage Peer Mentor Program

Okanagan College’s Women in Beverage Peer Mentor Program offers participants valuable guidance and leadership insights directly from industry professionals.

The program kicks off with an online meeting on Feb. 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. Following that, there will be eight weekly, two-hour sessions scheduled based on the group’s availability and location. Space is limited to only eight applicants, so applicants are encouraged to apply today online or by contacting bcbtac@okanagan.bc.ca.

Take the Tourism Climate Adaptation & Environmental Sustainability Business Survey

As a partner of Destination BC, the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association is excited to invite you to take part in the first-ever Tourism Climate Adaptation & Environmental Sustainability Business Survey. Your input will help shape a custom report for the region, so we can work together toward a sustainable future! Don’t miss out—complete the survey today!

New Short-term Rental Registry, Host Registration Required

The Province is launching a new short-term rental (STR) registry in order to give hosts who are operating legally to continue to welcome visitors.

Anyone operating a short-term rental will have to register with the province which must be displayed on all listings in BC, effective May 1, 2025.

Join WORTH for the 2025 WORTH Leadership Summit

Join WORTH Association for Western Canada’s only summit dedicated to women in recreation, tourism, and hospitality—an inspiring event designed to uplift women, elevate organizations, and drive progress across our industry.

The Summit will take place on March 11, 2025, at the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver, British Columbia.

The Summit will bring together aspiring leaders and seasoned executives to address industry challenges and create actionable pathways for change. Participants will gain the tools and strategies to accelerate their careers and drive transformative change within their organizations. For companies, the Summit represents more than an investment in their people —it’s a commitment to shaping the future of the industry.

Highlights of the day will include:

• Melanie Mark in the welcome address.

• Amal Masri, founder of Fix the Broken Rung, in the keynote presentation. 

• Panels and Presentations featuring industry leaders such as Jen Murtagh (Maturn), and Talaysay Campo (Talaysay Tours).

• Breakout Sessions tackling real-world challenges for women in the industry.

• Networking at the closing reception.

Register today to take advantage of early bird pricing, available until February 1, 2025.

Outdoor Recreation Fund of BC is Accepting Applications

The Outdoor Recreation Fund of BC supports grants that help shape meaningful outdoor recreation and nature-based activities in British Columbia.

The second intake of this fund opens on January 20, 2025. Interested applicants can check out previous grant recipients, or apply directly by February 20, 2025.

Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples® Workshop

Sign up for the “Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples Workshop” designed for tourism professionals in the BC tourism industry. This free session focuses on strengthening relations and community connections.

Sessions will:

• Build Stronger Relationships: Learn key strategies for respectful, effective collaboration.

• Enhance Cultural Awareness: Gain insights into Indigenous history and contemporary issues.

• Practical Learning: Interactive content focused on real-world applications.

Register now for sessions on January 30.

DBC Tourism Digital Academy

The Tourism Digital Academy is a free 8-week course for tourism businesses in BC who are interested in developing their digital marketing skills.

These courses are designed for business owners or marketing team members and include self-directed learning and live interactive sessions on digital marketing planning, SEO best practices, content marketing, and more.

The Winter intake running from January 29 to March 19 is accepting applicants.

BCTCRI Workshop #6: Climate Resilience, Governance and CDMOs

Join DBC on January 22, 2025, for a one-hour workshop focused on government partnerships within the context of climate resiliency. The workshop will focus on the importance of provincial, regional, and municipal partnerships to enhance climate resiliency strategies.

Applications for BCTCRI Micro-Grant Program Open Until January 28

Applications for the BCTCRI Project 2 are open until January 28, 2025.

Eligible businesses can apply for funding up to $15,000 to build upon or implement a climate resiliency plan.

Community Meets Adventure in Blue River

Where Community Meets Adventure – Discover Life in Blue River!

Imagine waking up to breathtaking mountain views, endless outdoor adventures, and the warmth of a welcoming community. Blue River, BC, isn’t just a place—it’s a lifestyle.

Why Blue River?

• Nestled in the heart of untouched wilderness

• Endless opportunities for outdoor recreation: hiking, skiing, kayaking, and more!

• A tight-knit, supportive community

• The perfect balance of tranquility and modern conveniences

Whether you’re seeking a fresh start, a new adventure, or a place to grow, Blue River is calling!

Free Beverage Industry Training Program - Offered in the Shuswap and North Okanagan

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association and the Okanagan College Salmon Arm and Vernon campus are thrilled to introduce the 2025 Accelerated Beverage Industry Training (BIT) Program, held at Okanagan College's Salmon Arm and Vernon Campus. This program offers fully funded training for individuals new to or experienced in the beverage industry. It covers essential skills like customer service, beverage sensory training, and sustainable practices, alongside industry certifications such as FoodSafe and WHMIS.

Open to eligible Shuswap and North Okanagan residents, the program supports professional growth through mentorship, hands-on learning, and reimbursements for childcare, travel, and accommodations.

• The Shuswap BIT program will run from January 27 to February 7, 2025, Monday to Friday, 9:00 - 4:00 pm with in-person classes.

  • Applications close January 19th, 2025

• The North Okanagan BIT program February 3 to February 14, 2025, Monday to Friday, 9:00 - 4:00 pm with in-person classes.

  • Applications close January 26th 2025

Help spread the word with your network by sharing program information using the following resources:

Shuswap BIT Program Media Kit

North Okanagan BIT Program Media Kit

Save the Date for the 2025 TOTA AGM & Summit

Save the date for the 2025 TOTA AGM & Summit on October 22 & 23, 2025 in partnership with Tourism Kelowna and the KF Centre for Excellence.

Visit the Summit website for event information and updates. See you all next year!

ETSI-BC Has Been Approved for Over $800,000 in Funding for the Southern Interior

The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) has been approved for $804,230 in funding to support 26 projects that will help support the economic growth of the Southern Interior of B.C.

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association is among the 26 other approved projects that will receive funding from ETSI-BC.

Read the full press release for information about the project.

Destination Canada Traveller Segmentation Program

Destination Canada has released the Traveller Segmentation Program, which allows stakeholders to discover visitor behaviors and preferences to see what motivates, inspires, and drives travellers. This tool will enable more meaningful, targeted, and impactful marketing and destination management strategies.

Explore all the segmentation tools available in the new program.

Media Coverage as a Result of Hosting Traditional Travel Media

The TOTA Travel Media team works with Destination BC, Communities Destination Management Organizations, and businesses to host traditional travel media in the Thompson Okanagan Region. This effort results in the region being highlighted in worldwide outlets that will attract visitors. Please find the coverage as a result of hosting opportunities below.

Global Sustainable Tourism Council Attraction Criteria Early Adoption Program

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) has launched an early adopter program for the GSTC attraction criteria.

The early adoption program will begin in January 2025, interested parties can find more information about the program’s activities and applications here.

Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Kelowna Airport is Biosphere Committed

The Hampton Inn and Suites Kelowna Airport is located across the highway from Kelowna International Airport and has been a sustainably minded accommodation since its inception. The building and guest rooms were constructed from modular pieces intended for assembly  with reduced waste, labour and time. Everything from the heating and cooling systems, lighting, and materials were carefully chosen to keep sustainability in mind and the team at the Hampton Inn and Suites plan to continue to focus on these sustainable choices going forward. 

Sustainability Initiatives

This hotel was developed with the Hilton’s Travel with Purpose 2030 goals in mind. This strategy aims to create a positive environmental and social impact supported by best-in-class governance practices across the hotel's operations, supply chain, and in its community. To support these goals, the Hampton Inn and Suites reduces emissions from energy and water use and also reduces the waste they direct to landfills. 

To meet these goals, the hotel has reduced its use of plastics by providing water fill stations, reduced energy use by installing motion sensors on lights, and reduced water usage by installing timers in their landscaping program. The Hampton Inn and Suites is also a proud participant in Clean the World, a program that helps save lives through soap recycling and providing hygiene solutions for preventable illnesses. 

When asked about what it was like participating in TOTA’s Biosphere program, Keira Niebuhr, Accommodation Controller, had this to say: “Working towards Biosphere Committed has been an exercise in acknowledging the multitude of methods we are already using in our day-to-day operations that align with the SDG’s and discovering some new methods that can only better the support we provide to our team. Working with TOTA and affiliated partners has been key to discovering opportunities in adding new sustainable measures or processes to our tool belt.”

Biosphere Commitment Program 

The Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Commitment Program is a sustainability program offered by the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association. The focus is to equip tourism businesses in the region with tools and resources to continuously measure, manage, and report sustainability management efforts. The program prepares businesses for a globally recognized certification, to show alignment of business operations with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Destination Certification.

Organizations can create customized sustainability plans through the Biosphere Sustainable Lifestyle platform and access dedicated support from industry experts.

Learn more about TOTA’s Biosphere Commitment Program

Book a Biosphere Introduction Presentation