Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association Industry Newsletter - March 30, 2026
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association is at the forefront of shaping the region's tourism strategy, and in doing so, brings together businesses and industry partners from all sectors to develop innovative solutions for sustainable growth and a long-lasting destination.
The Thompson Okanagan was the first Biosphere Gold Certified Destination in North America in 2017. TOTA has continued it's commitment to maintaining a sustainable destination that will welcome visitors for generations to come through efforts like the TOTA Biosphere Program. This program meets you where you are and helps you grow your sustainability practices at your own pace through accessible tools and resources. You'll earn internationally recognized designations that matter to today's mindful travellers, while contributing to a stronger, more resilient destination. Businesses throughout the region have already achieved commitment and certified status, like Lakeside Eco-Sports.
“Don’t hesitate to sign up! The mentoring process is perfect and will help you identify both what you are already doing and what can be done to further improve your business through the SDG goals and activities. It’s a lot of fun to log into the dashboard and see progress metrics and often I find myself spending time looking at other actions and activities that can help push us towards Biosphere Certification, often inspiring us to make more changes and better decisions.”
-Gareth Brown Lakeside Eco-Sports
Learn more about the TOTA Biosphere Program and explore the opportunities highlighted in this TOTA newsletter to join discussions, training, and programs that contribute to the preservation of the region and involvement in sustainable tourism.
News Centre Updates
City of Vernon’s Free TOTA Biosphere Enrollment Program
For a limited time, the City of Vernon has partnered with the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) to offer first-year enrollment in the TOTA Biosphere Program for the first year FREE!
Join TOTA & The City of Vernon for a Biosphere Program Snack & Learn
Vernon-based businesses are invited to Quality Inn & Suites Vernon on April 21 at 11:30 - 1:30 pm, for an informative session delivered by TOTA and the City of Vernon. Attendees will enjoy a light buffet-style lunch, followed by an overview of the TOTA Biosphere Program and the City of Vernon's Climate Action Plan Goals.
This is a chance for Vernon businesses to network and learn about the opportunities in the City of Vernon’s Free TOTA Biosphere Enrollment Program.
Building Inclusive Workplaces -“Belong” Virtual Workshop - Presented by go2Hr
Join this engaging virtual workshop to unlock the benefits of disability inclusion and discover how inclusive leadership strengthens teams, improves retention, and supports a more sustainable tourism future.
For our Biosphere members, this webinar links directly to the Biosphere program through SDG 10 / Action 10.1 - “Implement Social Integration Policies”.
eLearningU Tourism Digital Marketing Essentials Certificate & Sustainable Tourism Course
Through a partnership between TOTA and eLearningU, TOTA stakeholders are eligible to receive a 50% discount on both the Tourism Digital Marketing Essentials Certificate and the Sustainable Tourism Course.
Tourism Sustainability Network Resources
The BC Tourism Sustainability Network (BCTSN) is a collaborative tourism support program powered by the BC Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative and its partner organizations, including Destination BC, the six Regional Destination Management Organizations (RDMOs), Indigenous Tourism BC, and the BC Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture & Sports.
Regional Updates
The Thompson Okanagan social accounts are a great way to stay up to date with regional events and real-time updates -tag #ThompsonOkanagan to have your photos featured in our upcoming content.
