Keremoes Review: TOTA takes home North America’s Responsible Tourism Award

Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) has done it again, winning the North America’s Responsible Tourism award for the second year in a row.

Recognized by the World Travel Awards (WTA) , TOTA’s award was announced at the 2019 Caribbean & North America Gala Ceremony in Jamaica on Jan. 28. According to a release, WTA was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries.

“This recognition is such an honour, as it comes from tourism industry leaders from around the globe and reinforces (TOTA’s) commitment to advancing the region as a leader in sustainable responsible tourism,” said TOTA president and CEO Glenn Mandziuk in the release. “As always, TOTA’s success wouldn’t be possible without the leadership, support, and innovation shown by our Provincial Tourism Ministry, Destination British Columbia, Community Tourism and First Nations partners, and the over 4,500 member industry stakeholders from across the region.”

The release states TOTA is rapidly becoming known for its collective work to strive to grow the tourism industry in a manner that respects its social, cultural, environmental and economic foundations. In December 2018, TOTA was declared the winner of the prestigous World’s Responsible Tourism Award.

The Thompson Okanagan attracts more than four million visitors annually generating over $2.2 billion in direct revenue, making tourism the region’s top economic driver.