Take the Canadian Tourism Data Collective Utilization Survey

The Canadian Tourism Data Collective (CTDC) was launched in May 2024, and Simon Fraser University is running a survey to assess the awareness and usage of the CTDC tool.

Participant feedback will help improve data accessibility for industry stakeholders and support research on tourism resilience.

This anonymous survey will take 5–10 minutes to complete. Complete the survey by March 27, 2025, for a chance to win a $200 Amazon gift card.

Destination Events Program - New Province of BC Grant

The Destination Events Program (DEP) in British Columbia offers funding to support tourism, arts, culture, and sport events across the province. Eligible organizations—including Indigenous communities, not-for-profits, businesses, and local governments—can apply for up to 10% of their total event budget, with a maximum of $200,000 per event.

Open for applications on April 7 - May 5, 2025

Rogers Youth Grants: Supporting Education and Workforce Development

Rogers Communications has announced the 2025 call for applications for their Youth Grants, supporting organizations delivering educational and employment programs to underserved youth.

Applications open on March 24, 2025, for grants of $10,000 or $25,000. This initiative prioritizes programs focused on mentorship, academic training, and career readiness to empower youth ages 12-29. For more details, visit their website.

ORCBC Grants & Funding Page

ORCBC has organized a webpage to help recreation organizations stay on top of opportunities to access funding for their recreation initiatives.

A new directory of fundraising sources is now available to help recreation organizations access funding for outdoor recreation initiatives, accessibility programs, trail maintenance, supply purchases, and professional development for volunteer crews.

Explore the resources at the bottom of the page, including 'Tips for Quality Grant Applications in Outdoor Recreation' and a grant tracking template.

Webinar: Recreation and Indigenous Tourism

Register for an upcoming webinar on March 11 at 1:00pm PT, where a panel of experts will discuss how recreation groups can support and collaborate with First Nations and Indigenous-owned businesses. The discussion will explore ways to further nature-based tourism and outdoor recreation initiatives that highlight Indigenous culture, history, and stewardship.

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association Inspiration Centre is now Biosphere Certified!

The Tourism Inspiration Centre is a regional hub that supports activities, experiences, and stakeholders across the Thompson Okanagan. Located on Highway 97C (Okanagan Connector) above Peachland, the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Inspiration Centre is a visitor service centre that offers a place to take a break while catching  the first glimpse of the breathtaking views of the Okanagan Valley and lake. 

This visitor services centre is the first stop after the City of Merritt and is the gateway to the Central, North, South Okanagan and beyond. The Centre welcomes visitors, provides valuable information and education, fosters visitor engagement, and promotes sustainable tourism practices. The staff at the Centre are inspired by the region's unique experiences and sharing those with visitors. Encouraging travelers and locals to adopt sustainable habits will safeguard these resources for future generations to appreciate. 

Sustainable Initiatives

The centre aligns with Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association’s (TOTA) strategy and dedication to responsible, sustainable tourism. Through its sustainable operations, the centrenurtures a collective sense of responsibility for the health of both the region and the planet. For the centre, the Biosphere Certification is more than a certification, it is a testament of TOTA’s dedication to sustainable practices and our part in responsible travel in the region. The team at the centre took this journey together and gained valuable insights into minimizing its environmental footprint, creating a space for accessible and inclusive travel, and fostering a culture of conscious decision-making with the visitors and the staff and summer students who work at the centre and contribute to sustainable activities. 

The Tourism Inspiration Centre is excited to share their commitment to the 7 Affirmations for 7 Generations Regional Pledge. This pledge promotes mindful and sustainable travel and is shared by the centre with visitors, encouraging them to respect the region’s natural beauty, Indigenous culture, and local communities. This works alongside Biosphere initiatives to preserve the environment, support local economies, and foster meaningful cultural connections. 

Most recently, the centre has introduced two sustainable initiatives that will encourage sustainable travel and the reduction of energy consumption. The centre has installed solar panels on its pergola to provide power to the building, and it has recently installed EV chargers, which are available to travellers free-of-charge. 

When asked about the TOTA Biosphere Commitment Program, the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Inspiration Centre Manager Barbara Bonnough had this to say: “Many times, we think about sustainability initiatives as activities to mitigate climate change. However, following the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as part of the Biosphere Committed program, organizations are given the roadmap to address a wide range of issues, such as poverty and hunger, quality education, gender equality, clean water and energy, economic growth, as well as mitigating climate change. The program and the SDGs aim to create a world that is more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable in social, economic and climate related activities. We would encourage businesses to begin their commitment as they may be contributing so much to these areas already and this is a great measuring tool to show your progress.”

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

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)

Community Futures British Columbia Workshops

Community Futures BC offers free, on-demand workshops for businesses in British Columbia.

These workshops can be accessed by signing up for a free myCommunityFutures account.

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.