Biosphere & Sustainability Updates
Biosphere is a Sustainable Tourism System certified by the Responsible Tourism Institute, an international certification body that maintains a Memorandum of Understanding with UNESCO, is affiliated to the World Tourism Organization and is a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. The system is aligned with the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris COP21 Accord to Fight Climate Change.
The CCCTA’s Biosphere Commitment Program allows tourism industry stakeholders, within the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, to become involved in a process to be recognized as a Biosphere Committed Company.
The very first step is to take the CCC Sustainable Tourism Stakeholder Survey- simply click here – it takes 5 – 10 minutes.
Currently being offered to the Stakeholders of the CCC are two programs:
The first program is provided through the British Columbia Tourism Sustainability Network.
The BC Tourism Sustainability Network (BCTSN) provides meaningful, one-on-one support and resources to tourism businesses wishing to incorporate sustainability into their operations. This streamlined and supportive program helps tourism operators define a clear road map to integrating sustainability in their operations, strategy and storytelling.
Participating businesses are paired with a program advisor who complete a needs assessment and creates a customized road map to sustainability. This plan includes high value resource guides and videos to support businesses in their chosen focus areas such as energy, waste, water, and carbon footprint. Further resources cover responsible travel, regenerative tourism and sustainability planning. These resources can also be available through a new sustainability portal www.tourismsustainability.ca.
Synergy Enterprises will host a series of three workshops. These engaging sessions will be open all businesses participating in the program and dive deeper into one of the three core pillars of sustainability – People, Planet and Prosperity.
Tourism businesses can register on the BCTSN website at
tourismsustainability.ca/sign-up/.
This one-on-one program is supported by 7 Educational Guides and 3 Virtual Workshops.
Photo Credit: EcoToursBC
The 2nd of the two Programs is the BIOSPHERE Certification
The path to becoming Biosphere Certified starts here. Why become Biosphere Certified? Primarily more and more Travellers and Tourists are looking for these assurances that the companies they are dealing with have similar goals that they practice themselves. If your clientele is European based, your customers are likely more aware of these initiatives and certifications. Here in the CCC we believe many of you already practice many of these methods as a part of your day-to-day lifestyles and cultures.
Of the 17 identified SDG’s (Sustainable Development Goals) you need only select those areas that would reflect your business. The process of identifying those areas and proceeding through the Audit Process to Certification can be worked at your own pace and with assistance with program advisors.
This program offers:
- A sustainability management platform that is flexible and adapted to your reality.
- Establishes a truly sustainable corporate culture – engaging your employees and improving the work environment.
- A profile and recognition including a plaque, a QR code, web presence and you will be able to enter the communication and promotion channels of Biosphere Certified Destinations.
- A list of programs and training for Managers and Employees.
- The First year of the Program is offered through the CCCTA.
- Access the Biosphere Sustainability Portal – which is on CCCTA Industry website, you will need to reach out to advisor@landwithoutlimits.com to acquire the access passcode.
- The new Biosphere Website has launched. Click here to go to website.
EARTH DAY Mark your calendar on Saturday, April 22, 2023
The CCCTA will be celebrating this landmark date – as the 2nd Anniversary of formal commitment to a new path forward and the signing of the Biosphere Letter of Commitment. Share with us on our Social Media pages – what your Earth Day looks like.
Photo Credit: Greg Sabatino, City of Williams Lake
Expression of Interest | Installing Public EV Charging Station
The BC Lodging & Campgrounds Association (BLCA) has been talking with BC Hydro and FortisBC about partnership opportunities to install public charging stations offering pull-through service (capable of handling trailers and eRVs) to the public at a select few campgrounds.
Both are seeking potential partners with suitable land, under a licence to occupy arrangement, to install highway location fast charge stations for the public accessible 24/7 – 365.
They are seeking potential partners in key locations willing to:
- Offer land use at no fee – 10 year no cost licence to occupy
- Have an onsite host
- Can provide a maintenance and cleaning contract – snow clearing, garbage etc.
- If you have a location and wish to be considered, please let us know by emailing jpenny@bclca.com
- Ministry of Highways map to Charging Stations
CleanBC Go Electric Public Charger Program: New Application
The Province of British Columbia has announced the next application deadline for the CleanBC Go Electric Public Charger Program. The deadline is Friday, June 2nd 2023, at 11:59 PM PDT.
We are now accepting applications. You can apply online for rebate pre-approval through the website by clicking on the ‘Apply’ button.
Happiness Index Survey!
THE CCCTA wants to hear from the people of the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast! The CCCTA is helping get a read on how happy and healthy residents in the region and in BC are feeling – information that will help strengthen the relationship between the tourism industry, residents, and their well-being. It’s all a part of the Community Well-Being Survey that was launched on International Day of Happiness in partnership with the British Columbia Regional Tourism Secretariat (BCRTS), CCCTA and Planet Happiness.
If this doesn’t make you smile…
Photo Credit: Shelly Loring, Tanner Loring
Destination Development Updates
Introducing the Destination & Experience Managers
The role of the Destination & Experience Managers will be to support the tourism industry, improve the entrepreneurial abilities and capacities of businesses to further Destination Development Program initiatives and support responsible growth of the tourism economy. Improve the communication and collaboration of local, regional and provincial agencies to further the economic development and other community interests to guide the sustainable long-term responsible growth of tourism experiences and revenues across the region.
The Destination & Experience Managers (DEM’s) will be out in the communities assisting stakeholders on the ground.
Patricia Gerhardi is returning to the CCCT team as a new Destination and Experience Manager. Patti brings over 25 years experience working in rural British Columbia, supporting local organizations with grant writing, media monitoring and other business support services. With a decade of working in the tourism industry, most recently as a Tourism Resiliency Advisor and a business owner herself, Patti brings a strong skillset to the team.
Soren Christensen is CCCT’s newest Destination and Experience Manager and will be part of the team working directly with operators in rural and Indigenous communities. He brings his experience as a project manager and is experienced in building productive partnerships. Soren comes to us from the Okanagan, where he’s been working since he graduated with an Economics degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 2019.
A Fond Farewell
Join the CCCT team in wishing a fond farewell and congratulations to Jolene Lammers as she transitions to the next chapter in her tourism career! Jolene’s last day with us will be Friday, April 14th please send any emails to eco@landwithoutlimits.com as interim contact while we begin a new hiring process.
“People who wonder if the glass is half empty or full miss the point. The glass is refillable.” – Unknown