Vernon Youth Job Opportunity with Youth Climate Corps BC (YCCBC) - Applications Closing Soon

There are some exciting youth climate action job opportunities coming to Vernon this summer! Youth Climate Corps BC (YCCBC) is hiring 5 youth (aged 17-30) to mobilize community climate action in the Vernon area. One Program Lead, one Program Coordinator, and three Community Climate Action Mobilizer positions are available.
 
The following positions are now open for application. Click the links below to access the job postings:

• Program Lead, Vernon (deadline to apply: March 6)

• Program Coordinator, Vernon (deadline to apply: March 6)

• Community Climate Action Mobilizer, Vernon (deadline to apply: April 6)

DBC Learning Centre - Are you Travel Trade Ready?

This is part two of nine in DBC’s Learning Centre series “Working with the Travel Trade”. This tool will provide a set of criteria and standards to help BC’s tourism industry assess whether they are ready to work with the travel trade.

Tariff Resources from the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission

The Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission has released tariff resources, including a direct communication line for businesses with tariff questions.

This webpage will help businesses stay informed and connect with Business Development Officers.

Apply Today for the Culinary Tourism Alliance’s Taste of Place Leadership Program

The Taste of Place Leadership Program is designed to help Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) with the skills to foster culinary and agritourism growth in their communities. Once completed, the program participants will receive a Taste of Place Leadership certificate, and their achievement will be recognized online by the Culinary Tourism Alliance.

For more information about the key learning outcomes or to register for this program, visit the Taste of Place Leadership Program.

Tourism Kelowna is a Finalist for the 2025 BC Tourism Awards

Tourism Kelowna is one of the three finalists for the Professional Excellence DMO or Sector Association Award at the 2025 BC Tourism Industry Awards.

The winners of this award will be announced during the BC Tourism Industry Conference on March 5 - 7, 2025.

The Tourism Data Collective Releases the Traveller Segmentation Program

The Canadian Tourism Data Collective (CTDC) has released the Traveller Segmentation Program, which will provide Canada’s tourism industry with visitor insights, behaviours, and preferences.

This program will offer:

• In-depth visitor profiles

• Segement identification tools

• Training resources

Tourism and Sustainability Survey: GIS Applications in the Thompson Okanagan

Can maps help to support and monitor sustainability?

TOTA has partnered with Thompson Rivers University (TRU) to better understand the value of maps and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as tools to understand the distribution of tourism’s benefits and impacts in the Thompson Okanagan. This survey is conducted with funding support from MITACS.

Please share this with your coworkers as it is expected that more than one employee from each business completes the survey to make it valid. The results of this survey will be used to map tourism industry stakeholders’ perceptions and attitudes about the industry’s level of sustainability and about the use of mapping and Geographic Information tools to achieve this goal.

Survey participants will be entered to win 1 of 2 $100 restaurant gift cards.

DBC Learning Centre - Working with the Travel Trade

This is part one of nine in DBC’s Learning Centre series “Working with the Travel Trade”. This initial learning material will guide you through who the travel trade is, why to work with travel trade, and how to work with travel trade.

Tourism Digital Academy Spring Intake is Now Open

The Tourism Digital Academy, a free eight-week live virtual program is for tourism businesses looking to elevate developed marketing skills to an intermediate level.

The Spring Intake runs from March 18 - May 7, 2025.

Destination British Columbia’s Tourism Industry Dashboard

The 2024 data is now available on the Destination BC Tourism Industry Dashboard, which includes key tourism statistics such as international visitor arrivals data, provincial room revenue, regional occupancy rates, and more.

View Dashboard →

Tourism Industry Association of BC One-Minute Monitor: Impact of Cross-border Tariffs on Your Business

The Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) is running a one-minute monitor regarding the impact of impending cross-border tariffs on businesses. This short survey will help them better understand businesses’ views on pressing issues and help inform policy development and prioritize advocacy activities.

Coast Capri Hotel is now Biosphere Certified

The Coast Capri Hotel is a long-standing accommodation in Kelowna, and the team feels that it will play an important role in maintaining the natural beauty and resources in the Okanagan for generations to come. The Coast Capri has also seen an increase in eco-conscious travellers. By aligning with these values, they have set out to create a good example of sustainable hospitality for the rest of the industry.

Sustainability Initiatives

Hotel Manager Todd Weitzel and the team worked closely with TOTA’s Biosphere Success Advisors during their journey to certification. These advisors provide guidance and best practices to tourism businesses to align their efforts with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, and, as an unexpected bonus, the team found that this process fostered collaboration across all departments of the hotel. 

Along with completing actions within the Biosphere program, the team at the Coast Capri has also signed the 7 Generations Pledge, which was created out of a need to develop guidelines for sustainable tourism and conscious travel. Based on the Seven Generations Principle, rooted in Indigenous philosophy: The decisions we make today will have an impact for as many as seven generations to come.

Some of the initiatives that the team at the Coast Capri Hotel is excited to share with the community are:

• Water conservation: Using eco-friendly washing machines, sensor faucets, and a robust preventative maintenance program to minimize their water waste.

• Local Sourcing: Collaborating with local suppliers (like Don-O-Ray Farms) to feature environmentally-friendly, locally grown ingredients in the hotel's food & beverage and catering operation.

• Energy Efficiency: Replacing incandescent lighting with LEDs, introducing HVAC occupancy sensors in guest rooms, and using energy-efficient appliances in the hotel's kitchens.

• Waste Reduction: Implementing aggressive recycling, composting, and repurposing programs, along with offering guests an opt-out housekeeping program to conserve resources.

When asked about working with the TOTA Biosphere Commitment Program, Todd had this to say: "Working with the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) was instrumental in helping us achieve our Biosphere certification. Their guidance, especially from Eve Layman, was invaluable throughout the process. TOTA's expertise in sustainable tourism and their dedicated support made the journey much smoother, and we are grateful for their assistance in aligning our hotel with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Achieving Biosphere Certification not only boosts our international visibility and competitiveness but also demonstrates our commitment to responsible tourism and sustainability. At Coast Capri Hotel, we actively engage our staff in learning about and executing sustainable practices through ongoing training and involvement in our environmental initiatives. I highly encourage other businesses in the region to take advantage of the resources and support TOTA offers to pursue certification.”

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

Learn More About Community Futures BC with CF Boundary!

Community Futures British Columbia (CFBC) is celebrating 40 years in British Columbia. Check out the latest feature of Community Futures Boundary with General Manager, Jennifer Wetmore.

Free Beverage Industry Training Program - Tier 2

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association and the Okanagan College Vernon campus are thrilled to introduce the 2025 Accelerated Beverage Industry Training (BIT) - Tier 2 Program, held at Okanagan College's and Vernon Campus. This second tier of the Accelerated Beverage Industry Training program builds on the past foundational skills and participants’ lived experiences to focus on business development and sustainability in the North Okanagan and the Shuswap.

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 Tier 2 Program will run from February 24 to March 7, 2025, Monday to Friday, 9:00 - 4:00 pm with in-person classes.

  • Applications close February 16, 2025

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.