Host: BC Regional Tourism Secretariat (BCRTS), including Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA)
The BC Regional Tourism Secretariat (BCRTS) is preparing to launch the Tourism Impact Portal, a common data portal that will serve as the central information place for BC tourism stakeholders.
This joint initiative of five BC tourism regions, including the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), will serve as the foundation of tourism insights by bringing together disparate data sources to empower tourism companies to make well-informed and responsible development decisions, strengthening sustainable tourism development into the future.
The BCRTS is introducing the Tourism Impact Portal through two virtual information sessions on May 17 at 12 PM PT and May 18 at 9 AM PT. Sessions will offer insights and include time for questions and feedback.
About the Tourism Impact Portal
The Tourism Impact Portal is a central data portal for information on tourism development in five regions of British Columbia. It is built with the goal to improve the monitoring and reporting of tourism impacts at the local level in all areas relevant for sustainable development: economic, social, environmental, and governance.
Bringing together all available information and extending joint research efforts to close existing data gaps will support better evidence-based decision making by providing reliable, easily accessible and holistic insights at the destination level. The initiative fosters an open and transparent data culture for a more collaborative and inclusive future of the tourism sector.
Through better evidence and reliable and regular reporting of data regarding the sector's impacts, tourism stakeholders at the local, regional and national level will be able to form effective, targeted and aligned responses that ensure resilient and sustainable environments for both hosts and guests - a vision that is aligned with the UNWTO One Planet Vision for a Responsible Recovery of Tourism.
Insights will benefit businesses through the following uses:
Product & Experience Development
Visitor Spending Patterns
Provincial Tourism Supply Inventory & Map
Employment and Human Resources Planning
Resource Use & Management
And more
The Tourism Impact Portal will include the following data:
Tourism Arrivals & Seasonality
Tourism Economic Benefits
Tourism Employment
Host and Visitor Satisfaction
Accessibility / Universal Inclusivity
Climate Action
Energy Management
Water Management
Waste & Sewage Management
Sustainability Practices & Certification
Land Use & Territorial Planning
Mobility & Connectivity
Biodiversity & Nature Protection
Extreme Weather Events
Indigenous tourism experiences & community impacts