The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) has signed a formal agreement for the first time with Community Futures Offices in order to create a task force to rebuild a resilient tourism industry following the pandemic.

Together, TOTA and Community Futures will implement strategies focussing on tourism growth, long-term resiliency, development and sustainability. These joint strategies will target the identification and support of business funding opportunities and expand knowledge of training, innovation, employment and the visitor experience.

“The partnership between TOTA and Community Futures is very timely,” said Rob Marshall, Executive Director for Community Futures Shuswap and Community Futures Provincial Board Member.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic and devastating effect on tourism businesses in the Thompson Okanagan. Helping industry recover and become more resilient for the long term is imperative. Our two organizations have come together to implement projects, access needed resources and share best practices to revitalize, support, and grow our tourism sector, during the pandemic and beyond. In short order, valuable synergies have been developed and will certainly result in successful outcomes.”

Locally, Community Futures Nicola Valley believes the partnership will be a benefit to Merritt and help businesses recover from the economic difficulties presented by the pandemic.

“We are presently working to increase collaboration between TOTA and Community Futures,” said CED Coordinator Mae Ketter.

“We will work together to identify and implement projects that will assist tourism businesses. Increasing collaboration, discussing best practices and lobbying for resources to grow the tourism sector is a win-win. CF Nicola Valley feels that working with each CF office in the region, as well as TOTA who is the Regional Tourism Association will help grow the tourism sector. This increased exposure would support economic development for all businesses including tourism.”