Wells Gray Tours Donates $50,000 to BC Parks Foundation, for expansion of Okanagan Lake Provincial Park

Wells Gray Tours, a leading tour operator with five offices in British Columbia, announced their annual donation of $50,000 to the BC Parks Foundation. This generous contribution will support the acquisition of 28 acres on Okanagan Lake and the expansion of Okanagan Lake Provincial Park.

Founded in May 1972 by Roland Neave, Wells Gray Tours emerged from a fervent mission to protect the natural wonders of Wells Gray Park. Initially conceived to advocate against proposed dams on the Clearwater River, the company has since grown into the largest outbound tour operator in the B.C. Interior. Over the past 52 years, Wells Gray Tours has remained steadfast in its dedication to offering unparalleled travel experiences while championing environmental sustainability.

"The heart of Wells Gray Tours has always been a burning desire to preserve the natural beauty of our environment," said Roland Neave, Founder of Wells Gray Tours. "Our commitment to environmental stewardship is woven into the fabric of our company.  We are proud to continue this tradition and the donation is given on a rotational basis each year through one of our five offices, Kamloops, Kelowna. Penticton, Vernon, and Victoria who select a project. Our Kelowna office this year has chosen to support the BC Parks Foundation in their efforts to protect and expand Okanagan Lake Provincial Park."

The donation from Wells Gray Tours will contribute significantly to the BC Parks Foundation's mission to enhance and expand the park. The acquisition of additional land on Okanagan Lake will not only safeguard vital habitats, but also provide greater opportunities for outdoor recreation and education for generations to come.

The 2025 donation of $50,000 will be handled by Wells Gray Tours' Penticton office and will go to an environmental or conservation project in the South Okanagan. Charitable organizations are welcome to submit proposals until April 30, 2025.

For more information contact Joan Niemeier, 1-250-826-6650.

St. Jude's Anglican Church in Greenwood Destroyed by Fire

A massive overnight fire in Greenwood, BC destroyed the original St. Jude’s Anglican Church, the historic elementary school, one home, and a garage. No lives were lost and the rest of the town was protected, thanks to the hard work of the firefighters.

The church dated to 1901, and was the second oldest remaining church in Greenwood. The building was a connection to the earliest days of the city and the region. Over 123 years, generations attended for baptisms, weddings, funerals, and other events.

Our hearts go out to the community of Greenwood and the many people who felt a connection to the St. Jude’s Anglican Church.

Predator Ridge Announces Ritz-Carlton Residences

Congratulations to Predator Ridge as they bring a luxury brand to the Okanagan Region. Predator Ridge, owned by Wesbild Holdings Ltd., will build the prestigious Ritz-Carlton Residences, Okanagan, in 2026. This will be the first Ritz-Carlton standalone branded residential development in Western Canada.

The development will be situated above the Outlook neighborhood and feature high-end luxury homes and villas. The Residences are a major step forward for Predator Ridge and the surrounding area, providing ample opportunities to stimulate growth within the Canadian economy. 

There has been a growing consumer demand for branded, standalone properties within resort-style, amenity-rich communities with Residences currently in Montreal and Toronto. The Ritz-Carlton is a world-renowned luxury brand that is continuing to grow in Canada.

For more information, see the Predator Ridge Media Release. 

New Biosphere Commitment Program Member: Baldy Mountain Resort

Join TOTA in welcoming Baldy Mountain Resort to the Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Commitment Program.

Baldy Mountain Resort was founded in 1968 after a passionate community saw the potential for the outdoor adventures possible on Baldy Mountain in Oliver, BC. Since its early beginnings, the resort has been beloved by residents and visitors alike.  Renowned for its light, dry powder it has continued to adjust and adapt with the installation of additional ski lifts and growing activities for all ages and skill levels.

Sustainability Initiatives

Baldy Mountain Resort’s Biosphere lead, Troy Lucas, found learning about the possible sustainability initiatives for businesses to implement both humbling and eye-opening. Troy has long told others in the tourism industry that even small actions and initiatives make an impact and that acting sustainably becomes part of company culture that employees take pride in. 

Baldy Mountain Resort is working towards becoming a sustainable, year-round destination. One way they are doing this is their human-made lake at the resort which will act as a fire suppression and water source in the summer and can also be used as a skating surface for guests in the winter.

We look forward to seeing these and other sustainability initiatives at Baldy Mountain Resort.

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

New Biosphere Commitment Program Member: Destination Osoyoos

Join TOTA in welcoming Destination Osoyoos to the Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Commitment Program. 

Destination Osoyoos is committed to providing awareness and destination marketing for Osoyoos, at the southernmost point of the Thompson Okanagan region. Osoyoos is home to a desert environment, some of the warmest average temperatures, and the warmest fresh-water lake in Canada. It is fitting that they offer Canada’s warmest welcome to visitors who can experience wineries, activities, and the rich Indigenous culture of the Syilx Osoyoos Indian Band all year round.

Sustainability Initiatives 

Destination Osoyoos is dedicated to preserving the region so residents and visitors can enjoy Osoyoos for years to come. Their efforts in the Biosphere program have provided positive examples of how to travel and enjoy the region in an environmentally friendly way that ensures preservation, supports long-term economic viability, and responds to consumer demands for eco-friendly options. 

When they first started working towards the Biosphere Commitment designation, Destination Osoyoos believed that it would involve a lot of resources and a large time commitment. However, they found they were already fulfilling many action items of the UN Sustainable Development Goals in their day-to-day operations. As well, the support from their Program Success Advisor made it easier to ensure they were meeting their goals. 

Destination Osoyoos is utilizing the program to create marketing initiatives to help promote sustainable tourism experiences like biodynamic and organic wine and culinary offerings.

The newly launched sustainability landing page showcases their organization's efforts towards sustainability and encourages visitors to choose responsible tourism practices while they visit the community, including leaving no trace, acknowledging the Indigenous Host Nations, reducing consumption, and choosing greener transportation. 

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

Destination BC Co-op Tourism Marketing Partnerships and Thompson Okanagan Travel Resources

Destination BC (DBC) announced $4.38M in funding to help partners drive consumer demand, educate visitors on responsible travel practices, and increase tourism revenues in communities through destination and activity sector marketing initiatives across the province.

The Co-operative Marketing Partnerships Program invests resources into marketing that supports responsible, short-haul visitation in more seasons, and more areas of the province. This year, the program expanded its initiative eligibility criteria to include visitor education marketing, emphasizing Destination BC’s – and the BC tourism industry’s – commitment to responsible tourism.

Thompson Okanagan projects include:

NEW: Explore North Okanagan

The communities of Vernon, Lumby, the Okanagan Indian Band, and Destination Silver Star are embodying the spirit of the Co-op program for their latest venture, collaborating this year to create Explore North Okanagan. This new collective, led by Destination Silver Star, aims to create a cohesive way to move all travellers throughout the region, create educational messaging around minimizing impacts to communities and nature, and share the living history and stories of local Indigenous cultures.

Land of Hidden Waters

Led by the Fishing Highway Tourism Association and partnered with Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association, Tourism Wells Gray, and Tourism Kamloops, Land of Hidden Waters promotes the unique beauty, natural wonders and road trip experiences along the corridor and connectors of Hwy 25, Hwy 5, Hwy 97, and Wells Gray Park.  With a focus on sustainable travel, freshwater experiences are now more accessible than ever with EV road trip itineraries that include practical tips such as charging station locations, charging etiquette, and places to stay along the way.

As well as:

• North Thompson Valley

• Boundary Country

• Shuswap Tourism

• Similkameen Valley

• Visit South Okanagan

• Traveling Out in the Thompson Okanagan (TOTO)

• Highway 3 BC

• Explore Thompson-Nicola Cinema

Sector projects include:

BC Ale Tail

The BC Ale Trail’s immersive self-guided experiences for foodies, adventurers, and nature lovers provides beer enthusiasts with over 225 breweries to discover across the province in all seasons. A visit to the BC Ale Tail website provides travellers with information on different regions, food and beverage offers, and experiences, as well as a link to download the BC Ale Trail mobile app, which highlights partner liquor stores, tap houses, sip & stays, tours, Visitor Centres, attractions, and more.

Fishing BC

The Fishing BC marketing initiative brings together the fresh and saltwater fishing sectors under one provincial collaborative marketing effort to get more anglers fishing in BC. A visit to the Fishing BC website takes travellers through a broad range of year-round fishing experiences destinations across BC. They have raised awareness of fishing opportunities for people with mobility challenges, and this year, the sector will also create visitor education marketing campaigns that promote safe, respectful, and sustainable use of resources, including boat and river safety.

As well as:

• Mountain Biking BC

• Golf in BC

• Camping & RVing in BC

• Wines of BC

• Guide Outfitters Association of BC

• BC Snowmobile Federation

• Backcountry Lodges of BC

• Gardens BC

• The BC Farmers' Market Trail

A notable example related to sustainable tourism:

Don’t Love it to Death

Now in its second year, Don’t Love it to Death has become a leader in visitor education marketing. Through social ads, videos, ambassador partnerships, community installations, and more, it aims to educate residents and visitors in the Sea-to-Sky corridor to be mindful of the impact they can have, providing tips and tongue-in-cheek calls to action for responsible outdoor recreation. The Co-op initiative is led by Tourism Whistler, with partners Tourism Squamish, Vancouver’s North Shore Tourism Association, Discover Surrey, Sunshine Coast Tourism, Tourism Abbotsford, Tourism Burnaby, Tourism Pemberton, Tourism Hope, Cascades & Canyons, and Tourism Harrison River Valley.

For more information, see the Destination BC announcement.

Pacific Coastal Airlines Expands Service Between Vancouver and Penticton for Spring and Summer 2024

We are thrilled that Pacific Coastal Airlines has expanded their flight services between Vancouver International Airport South Terminal (YVR) and Penticton Regional Airport (YYF) for the upcoming Spring and Summer seasons.

From April 28 through June 22, 2024, travellers can enjoy increased connectivity with two daily flights operated by the reliable Saab 340B aircraft, accommodating up to 34 passengers.

From June 23 to September 7, 2024, Pacific Coastal Airlines will further expand its services to three flights on Sundays, Mondays, and Fridays, and select Wednesdays, as well as maintain two flights on Tuesdays and Thursdays, all operated by the Saab 340B aircraft. Additionally, a Saturday service will be provided using the Beechcraft 1900, accommodating up to 19 passengers, offering an up to 1,126 seat increase overall each week.

These flights will be key in providing travellers with convenience and flexibility when planning their journeys and demonstrate Pacific Coastal Airline’s commitment to making the Thompson Okanagan more accessible to air travellers.

To celebrate the expansion of flights to and from Penticton, Pacific Coastal Airlines is offering a special promotion. Passengers can enjoy a 20% discount on bookings using the promo code: YYF20 Further details regarding the promotion can be found on the Pacific Coastal Airlines website.

Learn more about these new flights at PacificCoastal.com.

Noble Ridge Vineyard & Winery Becomes First Biosphere Certified Winery in the Thompson Okanagan

Noble Ridge Vineyards & Winery has achieved Biosphere Certification, the first winery within the Thompson Okanagan region to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability management by aligning business operations with each United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, using the Biosphere Sustainable Lifestyle Platform. 

In 2001, Jim and Leslie D’Andrea purchased land in Okanagan Falls, BC that would become their vineyard and began building their vision. Now, in 2024, Noble Ridge Vineyards & Winery is a sustainability leader selling award-winning wines. The company is named after the noble varieties of grapes grown and the ridge that divides the land on which they thrive. 

For Benoit Gauthier, Director of Winemaking & Viticulture, implementing sustainable practices is a priority to nurture short-, medium-, and long-term benefits for the vines, winery, and region. Gauthier began switching from conventional farming to sustainable farming practices in 2014, initially focused on improving the soil quality. Benoit reduced the use of synthetic fertilizers, sprays, and irrigation water by increasing the organic matter in the soil with the use of compost and organic fertilizer applications. In 2020, he started the Sustainable Winegrowing BC Program with the BC Wine Grape Council. In 2021, Noble Ridge became one of the first vineyards in British Columbia to achieve the Sustainable Winegrowing BC Certification. 

After this accomplishment, the Noble Ridge team decided that the next step was to adopt sustainable practices for the entire business, and the best path was to achieve certification through TOTA’s Biosphere Commitment Program. 

Sustainability Initiatives

The Noble Ridge team is excited to share a few of their sustainability initiatives with the community.

First is the smart use of energy: Noble Ridge uses solar panels, geothermal heating and cooling, and high-efficiency heat pumps across the buildings. They have also converted the lights on the property to LED with motion sensors. 

Noble Ridge is also working to become a Living Wage Employer to support the hard-working team at Noble Ridge. 

About the 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.

Through the Biosphere Sustainable Lifestyle platform, organizations can create customized sustainability plans and access dedicated support from industry experts.

Learn more about TOTA’s Biosphere Commitment Program

Book a Biosphere Introduction Presentation

Country Music Awards Week to be Hosted in Kelowna September 2025

Canada’s biggest night in country music is coming to Kelowna in September 2025 for the first time ever during the Canadian Country Music Award Week.

Core to the efforts of the CCMA organization is Country Music Week. It is the focal point for the organization and its members, providing professional development opportunities, showcasing slots, and an opportunity to heighten awareness and increase exposure for Canada’s country music artists.

Hosting this event offers an exciting economic opportunity for the local community during less traveled months. According to Tourism Kelowna, ”Country Music Week 2025 is forecast to generate over 2,000 room nights (not counting fans or families), resulting in an estimated economic impact of over $11 million in Kelowna and BC.“

2025 is going to be an exciting year. If you are interested in attending events during the Country Music Award Week, sign up at the CCMA website to be the first to receive presale access.

New Biosphere Commitment Program Member: Watermark Beach Resort

Join TOTA in welcoming Watermark Beach Resort to the Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Commitment Program.

Watermark Beach Resort is located in Osoyoos, BC, and invites visitors to enjoy the South Okanagan lifestyle while lounging on the beach or by the pool. They offer condo-style suites and amenities like the swimming pool that overlooks Okanagan Lake, dining at 15 Park Bistro, as well as proximity to the beach, dining, and other activities in Osoyoos. 

15 Park Bistro at Watermark Resort serves food with locally sourced ingredients paired with Okanagan Valley wines.

Sustainability Initiatives

Watermark Beach Resort is committed to making sustainable choices to minimize its environmental impact and contribute to the well-being of its community. 

Several factors inspire the team to continue making these sustainable choices: 

• The team believes that sustainability works best when it is a community practice; setting examples for their guests by implementing sustainable practices can encourage them to adopt their own eco-friendly actions to protect the region they are visiting. Sustainable-conscious guests are increasingly seeking eco-friendly options when they visit the region. 

• Watermark has also installed low-flow toilets, reduced their plastic consumption by providing filtered water stations for staff and guests of the resort, and is sourcing products from local suppliers and those who prioritize sustainability. By implementing these sustainable practices, they have reduced costs and offer an easy choice for eco-conscious visitors.

• One of their latest sustainability initiatives can be found when you pull up to the resort: electric vehicle charging stations, available for both guests and employees, to encourage more sustainable travel choices that will reduce emissions and promote a greener community to live, work, and play in.

Biosphere Commitment Program 

The Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Commitment Program is a sustainability program developed by the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association. The focus is to equip tourism businesses in the region with the necessary tools and resources to continuously measure, manage, and report sustainability management efforts. The program aligns ongoing and future business operations with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Destination Certification to prepare businesses for a globally recognized certification. By accessing the Biosphere Sustainable Lifestyle platform, organizations can create customized sustainability plans and utilize dedicated support from industry experts.

Learn more about TOTA’s Biosphere Commitment Program

Book a Biosphere Introduction Presentation

New Biosphere Commitment Program Member: Sharpe Distillery

Join TOTA in welcoming Sharpe Distillery to the Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Commitment Program. 

Tracy Sharpe, Amy Jo Sharpe, and CEJ Mussell, the family behind Sharpe Distillery, have always been aware of the well-being of the planet and others, so becoming Biosphere Committed and joining an internationally recognized sustainability management program was a natural next step for them. Sharpe Distillery offers visitors an authentic taste of locally produced spirits. Located in Cawston, BC, Sharpe Distillery combines rich family knowledge with ingredients sourced from their backyard, including water from the Similkameen River, to create craft spirits. These unique products are a tribute to their grandfather, Jack Sharpe, and his impact on their community.  

Natural and local ingredients come together to create Sharpe Distilleries signature line of spirits.

Sustainability Initiatives

While working closely with their program success advisor, the team at Sharpe Distillery were pleased to find that many of their ongoing practices already fit into the measurable actions of the program, which gave them a solid footing that could lead to becoming Biosphere Committed.

Along with utilizing local products in their lineup of products and using recycled materials to build tiny homes, the team at Sharpe is continuing to work towards aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. For example, the team recently attended the TOTA-hosted and Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) run “2SLGBTQI+ Diversity & Inclusion Training: Creating a Welcoming & Accessible Tourism Workplace” and are becoming Rainbow Registered to foster equality and inclusion in their community. 

Biosphere Commitment Program 

The Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Commitment Program is a sustainability program developed by the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association. The focus is to equip tourism businesses in the region with the necessary tools and resources to continuously measure, manage, and report sustainability management efforts. The program aligns ongoing and future business operations with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Destination Certification to prepare businesses for a globally recognized certification. By accessing the Biosphere Sustainable Lifestyle platform, organizations can create customized sustainability plans and utilize dedicated support from industry experts.

Learn more about TOTA’s Biosphere Commitment Program

Book a Biosphere Introduction Presentation

Risk of Invasive Mussels to Okanagan Lakes & Waterways

The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) has been stepping up calls for action after last September’s announcement of quagga mussels in the Idaho’s Snake River, a tributary to the Columbia River which connects to the Okanagan, and only an 11-hour drive to the BC and Alberta border.

Idaho’s desperate response was to spread toxic copper chelate into the river, killing almost seven tonnes of fish and poisoning a 26 km stretch of the river. The effectiveness won’t be known until this spring.

In October, the OBWB began calling for a temporary moratorium on watercraft coming into BC until results from Idaho’s efforts are known and the Province has closed any gaps in its Invasive Mussel Defence Program. Support for the moratorium has been gathering steam with letters coming in from BC municipalities, chambers of commerce, the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, and others.

Tourism businesses and residents can review the Don't Move a Mussel campaign website to learn more about risks and prevention, and access resources to raise awareness.

New Hotel and Parkade Coming to Kelowna

Kelowna International Airport (YLW) will welcome the Sutton Place Hotel and a new parking structure next to the airport terminal in the next couple of years. The new Sutton Place Hotel will be six stories, adding 245 hotel rooms to the region.

Among the amenities planned, the hotel dining room will offer locally inspired cuisine, offering guests a taste of the Thompson Okanagan. It will also feature a penthouse lounge, a fitness centre, and conference rooms. The Sutton Place Hotel plans to offer valet, bell-hop, and concierge services. The parking structure beside the hotel will add 1,000 parking spots to the airport campus.

Conceptual Mockup of the Sutton Place Hotel and Parkade at YLW

The Sutton Place Hotel project is overseen and managed by Northland Properties, a Canadian-owned hospitality company. The completed Sutton Place Hotel at Kelowna International Airport will be their fifth addition to the Sutton Place Hotel brand, joining Toronto, Vancouver, Halifax, and Revelstoke Mountain Resort. 

The addition of this hotel to the Thompson Okanagan will provide different advantages to travellers coming to the region. The close proximity to YLW will make things like connection flights and early or late flight times much more convenient to get to for those travelling for business purposes, while the amenities of the planned Sutton Place Hotel will offer a luxurious experience for tourist travel, setting the Thompson Okanagan apart as a premier destination.

Pacific Coastal Airlines Adds Additional Flights to the Thompson Okanagan

Pacific Coastal Airlines has recently added additional flights between Kamloops-Victoria and Penticton-Vancouver. These additional routes will begin in January and February 2024 and include Saturday flight options, expanding their services to every day of the week.

The new flight routes include:

New Victoria to Kamloops Flights

• A new Saturday flight service starts Saturday, February 3, 2024 

• After the addition of the Saturday flight service there will be a daily flight between Victoria and Kamloops

To celebrate the launch of these new flights, Pacific Coastal Airlines is offering a 20% discount on flights to/from Victoria (YYJ) and Kamloops (YKA) using the promo code YKAYYJ20.

Learn more

New Vancouver to Penticton Flights

• Morning flight options on Sunday, Monday, Thursday, and Friday started on January 4, 2024

• A new Saturday flight starts February 10, 2024. After the addition of the Saturday flight there will be flight every day of the week between Vancouver and Penticton

• Beginning on April 28, 2024 Pacific Coastal will offer a morning and afternoon flight between Vancouver and Penticton every day of the week

Pacific Coastal Airlines is offering a 15% discount on bookings using the promo code: PCAPenticton. 

Learn more

The Thompson Okanagan looks forward to welcoming more guests from Vancouver and Victoria. Share the news about the additional Pacific Coastal Airlines flights so people can start planning their next trip to the region.

About Pacific Coastal Airlines 

Pacific Coastal Airlines is a British Columbia-based, privately owned airline that operates out of the Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Pacific Coastal Airlines connects 18 destinations across the province, connecting Vancouver Island and the interior.  

Destination BC Launches First Iconic Brand, Rainforest to Rockies

Destination BC is branding, marketing, and supporting destination development of new, globally compelling routes and places that span the entire province of British Columbia. These new place brands will inspire more travellers to visit more places in the province, throughout the year.

The first Iconic brand to launch from Destination BC’s Invest in Iconics strategy is now live for the world to see. Rainforest to Rockies, is an iconic Canadian journey along ever-changing landscapes, inspiring travellers to visit more places in the province.

On HelloBC.com/Rainforest-to-Rockies, travellers can choose their own adventure and enjoy the journey from Vancouver on the Pacific Coast to the Canadian Rockies through several routes, like Highway 3, 5, and 1, to various communities, including destinations in the Thompson Okanagan, such as Kamloops, Mt Robson, Osoyoos and the Kettle Valley Rail Trail.

The TOTA team looks forward to working with Destination BC to promote this iconic route through the region.

Learn More at DestinationBC.ca.

Quality Inn and Suites Vernon Becomes First Biosphere Certified Hotel in the Thompson Okanagan

Quality Inn and Suites Vernon has achieved Biosphere Certification, the first hotel within the Thompson Okanagan region to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability management by fulfilling all 17 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in the Biosphere Sustainable Lifestyle Platform. 

For Quality Inn and Suites Vernon and their Biosphere lead, Vinil Sood, the journey towards certification took six months. The hotel joined TOTA’s Biosphere Commitment Program in April 2023, began uploading evidence, and, in October 2023, the hotel was officially Biosphere Certified. The team found this process to be approachable because of the many sustainability initiatives that Quality Inn already had in place.

“At Quality Inn and Suites Vernon, sustainability is more than just a buzzword or a set of practices,” said Vinil. “It's a core belief that shapes everything we do, from our daily operations to our interactions with the local community and environment. We believe that sustainability means adopting responsible and ethical practices that benefit our business in the short term and contribute positively to the broader ecosystem in which we operate.” 

While Quality Inn and Suites Vernon has verified sustainable practices in all 17 SDGs, they have shown an outstanding commitment towards SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy. Some actions towards commitment to SDG 7 include:

• Awareness campaigns on the use of clean energy 

• Adopting energy efficient practices in their facilities 

• Prioritizing the use of more renewable and green energy sources, like the solar-powered lighting used in their courtyard

Quality Inn and Suites Vernon’s solar-powered courtyard

Biosphere Commitment Program

Biosphere Commitment is the first achievement an organization works towards after joining the Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Commitment Program. To achieve Biosphere Committed status, an organization must pick three SDGs to work towards, from each area of sustainable development: Environment and Climate Change; Society and Culture; and Governance and Economy.

After an organization becomes committed, they can continue to work through the 17 SDGs and show continued improvement towards sustainability management. Once an organization has verified sustainable actions towards all 17 Sustainable Development Goals, they become Biosphere Certified. 

Learn more about TOTA’s Biosphere Commitment Program.

Book a Biosphere Presentation.

Memorial Scholarship & Support for Thompson Rivers University Students Involved in Fatal Crash

On November 29, a Thompson Rivers University (TRU) student, Owyn McInnis, died and two others, Owen Waterhouse and Riley Brinnen, were seriously injured after a crash near the school’s campus in Kamloops (see Castanet article).

After this tragic event, Thompson Rivers University launched a scholarship, the Owyn McInnis Memorial Men's Volleyball Athletic Award (Learn More).

Those that wish to support the fund can make a donation to TRU.

As well, GoFundMe pages were launched for Riley Brinnen and Owen Waterhouse to assist with their recovery. The funds raised will help cover some of the costs for the two young men, their families, and the medical teams.

Brinnen is described as “a strong, athletic absolute sweetheart of a man.” He played minor hockey in West Kelowna, before taking to volleyball in Grade 10 at Kelowna Secondary School. He graduated from KSS in 2020 and earned a spot on TRU’s men’s volleyball team. He is currently in his fourth year of a psychology degree at the university.

Owen’s friends and family know him as “an extraordinary young man who lights up any room he enters with his smile.” Waterhouse was born and raised in Kelowna and is a graduate of Kelowna Secondary School. The outside hitter is in his second year with the TRU WolfPack.

Those that wish to support can make a donation to Riley’s GoFundMe page and Owen’s GoFundMe page.

This is a tremendous tragedy in the region and our hearts go out to everyone involved.

New Highway 3 Trip Planning Website

Highway 3 from Hope, British Columbia to the Alberta border is soon to be known as the best-loved touring route in BC, thanks to a unique multi-regional partnership to help market the route to visitors. The Highway 3 Tourism Alliance - a collaboration led by three regional destination marketing organizations (Kootenay Rockies Tourism Association, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, and Vancouver, Coast & Mountains) - launched its new website Hwy3BC.ca encouraging travellers to take the ‘winding route to adventure’.

The website showcases all the BC communities along Highway 3 like a ‘string of pearls’ and curates itineraries and stories from the road that have been themed to engage traveller passion for adventures, like Arts & Culture, Historic Highway 3, Food, Craft Beer & Wine, Lakes & Rivers, and Outdoor Adventure.

This collaborative regional initiative activates the vision of the Destination BC led Destination Development Strategy and action-planning for Highway 3, co-created with tourism partners from the entire length of the route. This 2016 strategy identified the opportunity to feature the many adventures along Highway 3 and encourage travellers to slow down and enjoy a classic road trip, touring from community to community at all times of year with the intention of driving visitation and spending in more places, across more seasons.

With support from both the Provincial Rural Dividend Fund and PacifiCan Tourism Relief Funding, the three regional destination management organizations (DMOs) together with community DMOs worked with Victoria-based creative agency, The Number, to create a new brand identity for Highway 3.

The new brand features a bold, modern take on the crow, inspired by the history of the Crowsnest Highway.  Market research informed the website design and a digital campaign subsequently launched on September 5, 2023 to encourage autumn travel. 

A corridor-long Festivals and Events strategy is also underway and the group hopes to continue their work together to secure funding and implement branded signage and wayfinding at key gateways and stops of interest.

Learn more and start exploring Hwy3BC.ca

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Kootenay Rockies Tourism
Wendy Van Puymbroeck
Wendy@kootenayrockies.com

Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association
Mike Overend
Mike@TOTABC.com

Vancouver, Coast & Mountains
Allison Picard
Allison.Picard@destinationbc.ca

Okanagan Crush Pad Switches to 100% Renewable Natural Gas

Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association Initiative Significantly Reduces Industry Carbon Footprint

Kelowna, B.C. - In an industry leading shift towards a more sustainable future, Summerland’s Okanagan Crush Pad Winery, parent company to Haywire and Garnet Valley Ranch Winery, has joined forces with the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) and FortisBC to transition to 100% Renewable Natural Gas (RNG). This partnership underlines an ongoing and unwavering commitment to sustainability, adding another chapter to its legacy of responsible winemaking.

Owned by Christine Coletta and Steve Lornie, Okanagan Crush Pad’s group of wineries have long been a beacon of sustainability and land stewardship. Okanagan Crush Pad has been an organic winemaking facility since 2011 and was the first Canadian winery to join International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA) in 2022. By partnering with TOTA and FortisBC, the wineries are taking their commitment to sustainability further by integrating RNG into all aspects of their business.

“TOTA’s RNG initiative takes meaningful and measurable steps to reduce the region's carbon footprint. It enables stakeholders like Okanagan Crush Pad to make an immediate change to a more sustainable fuel source, and is a practical step towards a cleaner future for British Columbia,” said Ellen Walker-Matthews, TOTA CEO. “In the face of escalating climate crises, RNG is a vital tool that businesses and individuals can adopt today to lessen their current carbon footprints.”

By embracing RNG, Okanagan Crush Pad is putting their climate change goals into measurable action. And in this one move alone, they are drastically reducing their C02 emissions from 30,000 kilograms to 100 kilograms.

This huge reduction in CO2 emissions also contributes to the province’s commitment to the CleanBC Roadmap to 2030. With results like this, the team at Okanagan Crush Pad seeks to inspire industry leadership and actively encourage the entire region to reduce their harmful emissions.

“We are proud to make the switch to RNG and are especially excited to see an immediate positive impact that is very much in line with our commitment to reduce our greenhouse gas footprint,” said Craig Pingle, General Manager, Okanagan Crush Pad Winery, the parent company to Haywire Winery and Garnet Valley Ranch Winery. “This simple action supports our commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Making the move to RNG required no new infrastructure and yields an enormous drop in our annual emissions.”

To inspire action and raise awareness about this crucial climate action initiative, Okanagan Crush Pad is offering a two-night stay at the new Garnet Valley Ranch Winery. Learn more and enter to win.

Signing up for RNG is a straightforward process that does not require any new equipment, upgrades, or installations. Existing FortisBC customers can log in to their account, navigate to 'manage services,' and choose the percentage of natural gas to be switched to RNG (5%, 10%, 25%, 50%, or 100%).

Tourism businesses interested in learning more about the benefits of making the switch have been invited to schedule an energy audit with TOTA’s Energy Analyst, Harshit Srivastava at Harshit@TOTABC.com

Funding provided by Natural Resources Canada

Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN) is the department of the Government of Canada responsible for natural resources, energy, minerals and metals, forests, earth sciences, mapping, and remote sensing. NRCAN is committed to improving the quality of life for Canadians by ensuring the country’s abundant natural resources are developed sustainably, competitively, and inclusively. NRCAN develops policies and programs that enhance the contribution of the natural resources sector to the economy and conducts innovative science in facilities across Canada to generate ideas and transfer technologies. Natural Resources Canada has provided TOTA with funding to spread awareness about the benefits, availability, and accessibility of Renewable Natural Gas to regional tourism stakeholders.

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About Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) is a not-for-profit society that represents a geographic area nestled in the Southern Interior of British Columbia, Canada. The region’s name is derived from two major geographic features: the Thompson River and Okanagan Lake. TOTA plays a support, leadership and growth role in the tourism industry for this region. It aims to stimulate ongoing sustainable growth by embracing the value of tourism through community engagement, innovative leadership in promoting authentic experiences, and inspiring creative collaboration. Key TOTA initiatives include: Biosphere Certified Gold Destination, 7 Generations Pledge, and Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism.

For more information about TOTA visit TOTABC.org, or visit the consumer facing website ThompsonOkanagan.com. Connect socially on Instagram at @Thompson_Okanagan

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Media Contact:

Krista Lochhead

krista@hatchhos.com

778.227.2396

Hatch Hospitality Inc. dba hatchcomms.ca

National Day for Truth & Reconciliation

September 30 marks the third annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, honouring the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis survivors of the residential school system.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation gives everyone in Canada a shared time to commemorate children who lost their lives at residential schools – and to recognize the hardships of those who survived, as well as the Inter-generational trauma passed on to their families.

For events happening throughout the region in honour National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, visit ThompsonOkanagan.com/indigenous.

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More Information & Resources

Government of Canada Resources

Information on how and why the holiday was created, how the day relates with Orange Shirt Day on the same day, mental health supports, and how people can learn more about Indigenous peoples, culture, and history throughout Canada.  

Orange Shirt Day Website

Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day that honours the children who survived Residential Schools and remembers those who did not. This day relates to the experience of Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwépemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation, on her first day of school, where she arrived dressed in a new orange shirt, which was taken from her. It is now a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.

On September 30, Canadians are encouraged to wear orange to raise awareness of the very tragic legacy of residential schools, and to honour the thousands of Survivors.

BC Museums Association (BCMA)

The BC Museums Association urges Canadians from coast-to-coast-to-coast to use September 30 as an opportunity to learn, reflect, make connections, and take action in redressing more than 150 years of injustice.

This webpage discusses the history of September 30/Orange Shirt Day/National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and share resources to help institutions plan for the day.

Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) - 6 Ways to Effect Change

Indigenous Tourism BC shared a list of ways for Canadians to accept personal responsibility and take action on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. ITBC recommends that this day be a time of reflection that Canada is responsible for the deaths and suffering of Indigenous children at residential schools across the nation. This is a time to step forward as a witness to the hard truths, and accept responsibility to learn and change. Reconciliation is not just the responsibility of government–it is a responsibility that belongs to all Canadians.

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was adopted by the General Assembly on Thursday, 13 September 2007. Today, the Declaration is the most comprehensive international instrument on the rights of indigenous peoples. It establishes a universal framework of minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of the indigenous peoples of the world and it elaborates on existing human rights standards and fundamental freedoms as they apply to the specific situation of indigenous peoples.