Tourism leaders from across the Thompson Okanagan will meet Nov. 2 – 4 to see how they can make their industry – which already generates thousands of jobs and $1.75 billion per year in economic activity – an even bigger contributor to the Region’s economy.
About 200 tourism leaders will gather at Sun Peaks for the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Summit, to hear world-class speakers suggest ways of attracting more visitors to the region through new approaches to marketing, sales, and the delivery of visitor experiences.
The summit host organization, the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), will also unveil a draft 10-year Regional Tourism Strategy, which outlines a framework for strengthening the industry based on input from stakeholders throughout the region. The strategy is expected to identify key directions for the industry so it can attract the growing number of “experience-seeker” travelers from key markets in B.C., Alberta, Ontario, the U.S., Europe, Asia and Australia.
Summit-goers will also be able to offer input into a new Tourism Human Resources Plan for B.C. being developed by go2, the province’s tourism and hospitality human resource association. In addition, the summit will feature a banquet and presentation of the 2011 Tourism Excellence Awards for the region.
“Tourism businesses are a key part of most communities throughout our region – from Valemount to Osoyoos, Kamloops to Merritt, Penticton to Grand Forks, and Salmon Arm to Kelowna,” says TOTA chief executive officer Glenn Mandziuk.
Summit information and registrations forms are available online at: www.totabc.org/2011summit.
– Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association
