New Program Aims to “Spark” Innovative Tourism Ideas in the Boundary Country

Kelowna, BC – A new program aimed at sparking and supporting innovative tourism ideas in the Boundary Country was officially announced today by local and provincial tourism partners.

The “Spark” Mentorships & Grants Program will match selected applicants from the area with a tourism mentor and provide a $3,000 grant and additional partner support to help take their new tourism ideas to the next level of development. 

The goal is to find, advance, and support new tourism ideas, experiences, and partnerships that will enhance current offerings, address gaps or challenges, motivate travel and longer stays, and increase year-round visits.

Applications are encouraged from tourism entrepreneurs, small businesses, and non-profit organizations based in the Boundary Country from November 27 to Jan 3. Following a review process, five finalists will be invited to a virtual Pitch Session where three winners will be selected.

The “Spark” Program was first launched in Ontario in 2018 by the Tourism Innovation Lab and has since expanded to several regions across British Columbia.

The Boundary “Spark” Program is presented by Destination British Columbia in collaboration with the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, Boundary Country Tourism,  Boundary Regional Chamber of Commerce, Community Futures Boundary, Trails to the Boundary, and the Tourism Innovation Lab, with support from Big White Tourism, Christina Lake Tourism Society, Discover Grand Forks, Christina Gateway Community Development Association, West Boundary Connect, Rock Creek Economic Development and Boundary Food Hub. 

For more information about the Boundary “Spark” Mentorships & Grants Program and upcoming Info Sessions, visit https://www.tourisminnovation.ca/boundarycountry.html

QUOTES

Ellen Walker-Matthews, CEO, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association

“Entrepreneurs are the backbone of tourism in our region and the “Spark” program provides a tremendous opportunity for an individual or business with a new tourism idea to bring their idea to life, while being guided and supported through this initiative. To date the BC “Spark” program has supported over 45 new tourism ideas in coming to life, why not yours?”

Richard Porges, President & CEO, Destination BC

“Entrepreneurship and innovation are at the heart of the BC tourism industry, shaping unique experiences that connect visitors and residents to the vibrant character of communities throughout the province. The ‘Spark’ Program is a proven catalyst for new ideas, and Destination BC is proud to support the passionate people and small businesses in Boundary Country who create remarkable experiences for us all.”

Alex Berlyand, BC Programs Lead, Tourism Innovation Lab

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Destination BC to bring the “Spark” Program to the Boundary Country, marking its ongoing expansion in British Columbia. Our goal is to ignite and support innovative tourism ideas that will enrich the offerings in the Boundary country area.” 

MEDIA CONTACTS

Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association Communications
Email: [email protected]

Destination BC Media Relations
Email: [email protected]

Justin Lafontaine, Program Lead, Tourism Innovation Lab
Email: [email protected] 

SOCIAL MEDIA

Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association
LinkedIn: @TOTABCNews
Facebook: @TOTABCNews
Twitter: @TOTABCNews

Destination BC
LinkedIn:@DestinationBritishColumbia
Twitter: @DestinationBC

Tourism Innovation Lab
LinkedIn: @TourismInnovationLab
Facebook: @TourismInnovationCanada
Instagram: @TourismInnovationCanada
Twitter: @TourInnovation

ABOUT

About Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) is a non-profit society, governed by an elected Board of Directors, which represents business and community tourism interests of the Thompson Okanagan region of British Columbia. TOTA is supported by and representative of Destination British Columbia and the BC Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, and Sport.

TOTA is an industry-led organization that represents and supports all business and community tourism interests in the region, while also helping to implement provincial tourism policies. Learn more at www.TOTABC.org.

About Destination BC
Destination British Columbia (Destination BC) is a provincially funded, industry-led Crown corporation that supports a strong and competitive future for BC’s tourism industry through a combination of global marketing, destination development, industry learning, cooperative community-based programs, and visitor servicing. Destination BC’s programs help to improve the visitor experience, support businesses and communities across the province, and strengthen BC’s worldwide reputation as a destination of choice. For more information about Destination BC’s programs and services, please visit: http://www.DestinationBC.ca/

About the Tourism Innovation Lab
The Tourism Innovation Lab is a non-profit initiative created to find, foster and support new tourism ideas, experiences and partnerships, to cultivate and propel collaborations between the tourism and tech sectors, and to build a community of tourism innovators, idea makers and entrepreneurs. Launched in Ontario in 2018, the Lab and its “Spark” Mentorships & Grants Program are expanding to new regions across Canada. The Tourism Innovation Lab is a program of Hackforge and has a BC home base in Squamish. Learn more at www.TourismInnovation.ca/.