International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories - TOTA Sustainability Initiative
TOTA is a proud Member of the International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO), a collaboration between the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and 40+ tourism areas around the world committed to monitoring sustainable tourism development at the destination level.
TOTA’s Commitment
In October 2019, TOTA became the first Canadian destination to join INSTO.
As an observatory, TOTA is committed to the ongoing monitoring and reporting of 11 core issue areas sustainable tourism indicators outlined in the INSTO framework. The areas are:
Tourism Seasonality
Employment
Destination Economic Benefits
Governance
Local Satisfaction
Energy Management
Water Management
Waste Water Management
Solid Waste Management
Accessibility
Climate Action
TOTA INSTO Reports
TOTA compiles and submits annual reports with the help of partner organizations, local municipalities, post-secondary institutions, and Indigenous communities.
The objective is to stimulate ongoing sustainable growth in tourism through the continued implementation of measurement and management practices to ensure the long-term viability and sustainability of the region.
Thompson Okanagan Tourism Climate Action Plan - TOTA Sustainability Initiative
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) released the Thompson Okanagan Climate Action Plan in April 2023, in honour of Earth Week and Earth Day on April 22. The plan will facilitate sustainable industry and community development in the Thompson Okanagan region of British Columbia, Canada.
TOTA has been committed to sustainable and responsible tourism since 2012 and became a signatory of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism in May 2022, which includes the development and implementation of an official climate action plan to accelerate and co-ordinate climate action in tourism.
The plan outlines a series of strategies and initiatives to support the regional and global commitment to cut emissions in half by 2030 and reach Net Zero as soon as possible before 2050.
TOTA encourages all tourism operators, visitors, and community members to support the plan and take action to reduce their carbon footprint. Sustainability is becoming an increasingly significant factor for travellers when planning travel for both business and leisure. As people gain an understanding of the impact of travel, there is a growing preference for supporting responsible destinations, venues, hotels, and events. Destinations and their businesses that take initiative will attract these sustainability-conscious travellers.
7 Generations Pledge - TOTA Sustainability Initiative
The 7 Generations Pledge was created by the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association to articulate guidelines for realizing sustainable tourism in the Thompson Okanagan region.
Based on the Indigenous Seven Generations Principles the philosophy recognizes that decisions an individual makes today have an impact for seven generations to come.
Therefore, individuals, businesses, and communities have a responsibility to consider the far-reaching and long-term implications of our actions.
Glasgow Declaration - Climate Action in Tourism - TOTA Sustainability Initiative
Sustainability is an underlying principle and focus of the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA). In keeping with this principle, TOTA is committed to facilitate business and community growth that is environmentally, culturally, and economically sustainable in alignment with the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
TOTA recognizes the increased urgency for the need to accelerate climate action in tourism and to secure strong actions and commitment to support the global goals to halve emissions over the next decade and reach Net Zero emissions before 2050.
Glasgow Declaration
Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association is proud to be a signatory of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism.
As a signatory of the Glasgow Declaration, TOTA commits to deliver plans aligned with the pathways to cut tourism emissions in half over the next decade and reach Net Zero emissions as soon as possible before 2050.
Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association commits to:
Support the global commitment to halve emissions by 2030 and reach Net Zero as soon as possible before 2050;
Deliver climate action plans within 12 months from becoming a signatory (or updating existing plans), and begin implementing them;
Align plans with the five pathways of the Declaration (Measure, Decarbonize, Regenerate, Collaborate, Finance) to accelerate and co-ordinate climate action in tourism;
Report publicly on an annual basis on progress against interim and long-term targets, as well as on actions being taken;
Work in a collaborative spirit, sharing good practices and solutions, and disseminating information to encourage additional organizations to become signatories and supporting one another to reach targets as quickly as possible.
Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency - TOTA Sustainability Commitment
In November 2020, TOTA joined Tourism Declares, a global initiative that supports tourism businesses, organizations, and individuals in declaring a climate emergency and taking purposeful action to reduce their carbon emissions as per the advice from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to cut global carbon emissions to 55% below 2017 levels by 2030.
TOTA’s Commitment
Like all signatories, TOTA has committed to the following five actions:
Develop a ‘Climate Emergency Plan’ within the next 12 months, which sets out our intentions to reduce carbon emissions over the next decade.
Share an initial public declaration of a ‘Climate Emergency Plan,’ and provide updates on progress each year.
Accept current IPCC advice stating the need to cut global carbon emissions to 55% below 2017 levels by 2030 in order to keep the planet within 1.5 degrees of warming. We’ll ensure our ‘Climate Emergency Plan’ represents actions designed to achieve this as a minimum, through delivering transparent, measurable, and increasing reductions in the total carbon emissions per customer arising from our operations and the travel services sold by us.
Encourage our stakeholders and partners to make the same declaration, share best practice amongst peers and actively participate in the Tourism Declares community.
Advocate for change. We recognize the need for system change across the industry, and call for urgent regulatory action to accelerate a just transition towards net-zero carbon tourism.