Community Development Initiatives 2010 | Provincial Programs

Welcome to Community Development

Message from Community Development Specialist, Simone Carlysle-Smith

Simone Carlyle-Smith, TOTA Community Development Specialist November 2010 marks the first year of a dedicated Community Development department for Thompson Okanagan Tourism. It has been my pleasure to work with so many emerging rural communities and assist them with their tourism initiatives.

As the Community Development Specialist for TOTA, it is my role to develop and implement the Community Development Strategy for the Thompson Okanagan region.

Key objectives are to:

Enhance working partnerships at the local level
Strengthen capacity of local tourism organizations
Increase competitiveness of communities as destinations

TOTA’s role is to offer communities the opportunity to participate in the Provincial programs that are designed to strengthen tourism at the community level. Our direct relationship with the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism, & Innovation provides communities with access to a broader range of resources, tactical opportunities, funding and expertise. Regardless of your stage of tourism development, your community can potentially benefit through more efficient use of funds, improved planning coordination, and a greater level of integration with regional and provincial strategies.

Review the Working with Tourism BC and TOTA Brochure.

When planning for 2011, be sure to review the TOTA Community Opportunities.

TOTA’s new focus on industry and community development will assist in strengthening the tourism industry throughout the region. Key areas of action will include establishing new training programs and business advisory services, building awareness of trends, implementing Ministry of Tourism, Trade & Investment programs, such as the Community Tourism Opportunities program, and working directly with communities and sectors to encourage innovative growth strategies.

Community Tourism stakeholders include community tourism alliances, business associations, Chambers of Commerce, Community Futures Development Corporation, Destination marketing and or management organizations, Economic Development Officers, First Nations, local and regional Government Council Representatives, Tourism Advisory Committees and Visitor Centres.

Please don’t hesitate to call, email or drop by the office anytime while in Kelowna. I am available as a resource and look forward to meeting everyone in person over the coming year.

Be sure to refer to TOTA’s strategic priorities over the next year.

Simone Carlysle-Smith
Contact: (250) 860-5999 ext 214

Community Development Newsletter:

Vol 2 Issue 2 - Oct 6, 2011
Vol 2 Issue 1 - Feb 28, 2011
Vol 1 Issue 1 - July 28, 2010