Innovative Partnership for Sustainable Tourism in the Thompson Okanagan
KELOWNA, B.C. — In a significant stride toward promoting sustainable tourism, the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) has partnered with Thompson Rivers University (TRU) to launch a groundbreaking research initiative. This collaborative project aims to harness the power of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to better understand and enhance the distribution of tourism benefits and impacts across the Thompson Okanagan region.
Research Initiative Overview
The research, spearheaded by TRU’s Master of Science in Environmental Science program, seeks the active participation of hotel, restaurant, and winery owners, as well as their employees. Their insights and experiences will be integral to the study, contributing to a Master’s thesis that aims to develop a GIS-based tool. This tool will serve as an assessment framework, alerting tourism stakeholders when the equilibrium among tourism’s sustainability components—economic growth, social development, and environmental protection—is at risk.
Goals and Objectives
“Our objective is to create robust tools that not only reflect the current state of sustainability within our tourism sector but also empower stakeholders to implement targeted improvements for the future,” states Ellen Walker-Matthews, CEO of TOTA. “By integrating stakeholder perceptions with geographic and statistical data through GIS technology, we can gain a clearer understanding of our industry’s status and identify pathways for continuous enhancement.”
Community Engagement and Participation
The initiative invites community members to participate in a survey accessible at totabc.org. Participants are encouraged to share their perspectives on tourism sustainability within their communities. The survey seeks insights into their experiences with GIS tools, such as Google Maps and Apple Maps, and their views on how these tools can support sustainable tourism practices. The findings will contribute to mapping industry stakeholders’ perceptions and attitudes towards sustainability and the efficacy of GIS tools in achieving these goals.
Funding and Support
This pioneering project has received funding in part from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, underscoring the importance of collaboration between academia, industry, and government in fostering sustainable development within the tourism sector.
Conclusion
The collaboration between TOTA and TRU represents a significant step forward in the pursuit of sustainable tourism in the Thompson Okanagan region. By utilizing GIS technology and engaging local stakeholders, this initiative aims not only to assess the current state of tourism sustainability but also to lay the groundwork for future improvements. The emphasis on community participation and stakeholder input signals a commitment to creating a tourism industry that is not only economically viable but also socially responsible and environmentally sustainable.
As the project unfolds, the insights gained are expected to provide valuable guidance for tourism operators, policymakers, and community members alike, fostering a more sustainable tourism framework that benefits all stakeholders involved. The Thompson Okanagan region is poised to set a benchmark for sustainable tourism practices, reflecting a growing recognition of the need to balance economic development with environmental stewardship and social responsibility.
