Congratulations Boundary Country “Spark” Program Winners!

Kelowna, BC – Three (3) finalists who made winning pitches for the Boundary Country “Spark” Program were each awarded a $3,000 seed grant and mentorship to help them get started with their new tourism ideas. 

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.

The program’s goal was 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 to the Boundary region.

The Boundary Country “Spark” Program winners are: 

• Lisa Houston – Christina Lake Sauna Experience
• Carissa Boynton – Hotel Midway as a Tourism & Community Hub
• Rocio Graham – Christina Lake Mushroom Festival

In addition to seed funds, mentorship and additional partner support, selected applicants gain access to a network of tourism innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders across the province.

For more information visit https://www.tourisminnovation.ca/boundarycountry  

QUOTES

Ellen Walker-Matthews, CEO, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association

“Through the BC “Spark” program more than 54 tourism initiatives to date have had the opportunity to be realized. We are so excited to have seen this program expand into the Boundary region and the tremendous ideas that were brought forward. Our congratulations to everyone who participated and we can’t wait to see the next steps of the winners selected.”

Richard Porges, President & CEO, Destination BC

“As visitors increasingly seek experiences that allow them to connect more deeply and authentically with the places they visit, the new offerings from the Boundary Country SPARK Program help meet this demand. Congratulations to the three finalists, whose innovation will enhance the region’s unique appeal while strengthening BC’s position as a destination of choice for meaningful travel experiences.”

Alex Berlyand, BC Programs Lead, Tourism Innovation Lab

“We’re excited to be partnering with Destination BC once again to bring the “Spark” Program to Boundary Country as part of its continued growth across British Columbia. This initiative aims to spark creativity and support innovative tourism ideas that will enhance and diversify the visitor experience in the Boundary Country region.”

MEDIA CONTACTS

Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association
Communications
Email: [email protected]

Destination BC
Media Relations
Email: [email protected]

Tourism Innovation Lab
Alex Berlyand, BC Programs Lead,
Email: [email protected] 

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

Destination BC
LinkedIn:@DestinationBritishColumbia 

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/.