News & Resources
The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.
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 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
Free Food Waste Prevention Online Training Certificate by BetterTable.ca
TOTA is offering free food waste prevention training for Thompson Okanagan tourism professionals through BetterTable.ca. The online program is about reducing food waste and industry best practices and is available on demand until February 29, 2024.
TOTA is offering complimentary BetterTable.ca Food Waste Prevention Training licenses to Thompson Okanagan tourism professionals working in food preparation.
This certificate program is a cost-saving opportunity, sharing actionable tips and industry best practices for managers and kitchen staff to reduce food wastage.
The training is online and available on demand. Training must be completed by February 29, 2024.
This opportunity is available for a limited time, with limited availability to TOTA Biosphere Commitment Program Members. If you are interested in obtaining a certificate and joining the Biosphere Program, email Biosphere@TOTABC.com or schedule a meeting with TOTA’s Biosphere Success Advisor.
Apply by January 31, 2024 at TOTABC.org/form/food-waste
About BetterTable.ca
Bettertable.ca is a Vancouver-based company helping hotels and restaurants prevent food waste to achieve a triple bottom line. The BetterTable.ca team of food lovers and food waste experts, based in Vancouver, helps increase profitability, retain talents, and reduce climate impacts.
Learn more at BetterTable.ca
New 3D Virtual Tours Highlight Accessible Features at Tourism Venues in the Thompson Okanagan
TOTA and Spinal Cord Injury BC have partnered to share 22 Virtual Venue Tours of Thompson Okanagan accommodation and attractions. The virtual tours showcase priority accessible features to help people easily plan a visit based on their specific requirements.
View tours: https://ThompsonOkanagan.com/virtual-tours
Kelowna, B.C. - Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), Spinal Cord Injury BC (SCI BC), and their Access BC program have launched Virtual Venue Tours, a mapping project to improve access and inclusion for people exploring the Thompson Okanagan region of British Columbia. 22 tours are available on ThompsonOkanagan.com as of March 2023 showcasing priority accessible features of various accommodations and attractions in Kelowna, Kamloops, Penticton, Naramata, Keremeos, Cawston, and Chase.
The virtual platform is easy to navigate on desktop and mobile devices, allowing people to explore venues and determine whether accessible features meet their specific requirements. When planning a visit, trip planners can explore the venues virtually and make informed decisions about which ones to experience in person.
The Virtual Venue Tours project was created for the Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Commitment Program, which supports businesses to improve access and inclusion for visitors and staff through various services; with support from the Targeted Regional Tourism Development Initiative (TRTDI) fund from the Province of BC.
"This project will help improve access and inclusion for all visitors to the Thompson Okanagan region. We want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to experience the beauty of the region, and this program will make it easier for people to do so," said TOTA CEO Ellen Walker-Matthews.
At launch, these tours showcase the accessible features of the following venues who have participated in the Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Commitment Program or are committed to access and inclusion:
Chase:
Kamloops:
Penticton:
The 3D images were created by Jody Wall Photography, a BC-based photographer and are hosted on the TourMkr platform.
More virtual tours will be added as funding becomes available.
To view the tours, visit ThompsonOkanagan.com/virtual-tours
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About the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA):
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association is a non-profit society, governed by an elected Board of Directors, which represents business and community tourism interests throughout the region, and is supported by the British Columbia Ministry of Tourism, Arts, & Culture. It is an industry-led organization that represents and supports all business and community tourism interests in the region, while also helping to implement provincial tourism policies.
As a Biosphere Certified Destination, TOTA is committed to working towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including goals related to access and inclusion, such as “Reduced Inequalities” and “Sustainable Cities & Communities.” becoming a world-renowned accessible tourism destination and to promote “Access & Inclusion” in all aspects of community and tourism experiences, products, and services in the Thompson Okanagan region.
Learn more at TOTABC.org.
About Spinal Cord Injury BC:
Spinal Cord Injury BC (SCI BC) is a non-profit organization based in British Columbia, Canada, that provides support and resources for individuals who have sustained a spinal cord injury, as well as their families and caregivers. The organization was founded in 1957 and has since grown to become a leading resource for those affected by spinal cord injury.
SCI BC offers a wide range of programs and services, including peer support, information and referral, community outreach, and advocacy. One of the key initiatives of SCI BC is the development of accessible technology and equipment for people with spinal cord injuries, with a focus on enhancing mobility and independence. The organization also provides education and awareness programs to promote understanding and inclusion in the community.
Learn more at SCI-BC.ca.
For more information, contact:
Ellen-Walker Matthews
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA)