News Release
For Immediate Release
November 4, 2015
Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association and Greenstep Solutions Inc are excited to announce that they have entered into Memorandum of Understanding as part of the first phase of our regional efforts in the development of a Charter of Sustainability.
One of the most valuable assets the Thompson Okanagan offers is its abundant natural beauty and it is imperative that as we grow the tourism product we ensure this rich environment is protected.
“Responsible tourism includes assisting our stakeholders in their efforts to provide sustainable and green tourism products and attracting the right consumers” says Glenn Mandziuk, CEO, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association.
GreenStep Solutions Inc. is a Kelowna based company, which operates across Canada, and has worked with more than 1200 business since 2008 on a wide variety of sustainability-related projects and programs.
GreenStep Solutions Inc. delivers an international sustainable tourism certification program called Sustainable Tourism. Sustainable Tourism provides certification and expert guidance to all types of tourism businesses, helping them create a sustainable and green tourism action plan. Members include hotels, motels, resorts, campgrounds, casinos, attractions, tour operators, restaurants, wineries, breweries, distilleries and even tourism centres and offices.
“We couldn’t be more excited to have the opportunity to work in our own backyard, together with TOTA, to help support the Thompson Okanagan tourism industry as it strives to integrate more green and responsible business practices” said Angela Nagy, CEO, GreenStep Solutions.
Complimentary to Sustainable Tourism, ecobase Certified helps tourism businesses to measure and reduce their carbon footprint, while saving thousands of dollars in energy, waste and water, all at no cost. Through the program businesses can generate an eco-fund to invest in these projects, while receiving expert advice to help them make the best choices about where to invest their eco-funds to reduce their carbon footprint. This way, businesses can offer more environmentally friendly services and meet the growing consumer demand for responsible business.
“As the first business in the Thompson Okanagan to be both Sustainable Tourism and ecobase Certified, we look forward to watching our region emerge as sustainability leaders. Sustainable Tourism Canada is the best green certification program for hospitality industry because it requires one-on-one verification for every member. Now with ecobase Certified, we can achieve our sustainability goals even faster” commented Greg Salloum – Owner, Best Western PLUS Kelowna Hotel & Suites.
Want to learn more about these programs and businesses?
- Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association www.totabc.org
- GreenStep Solutions Inc. www.greenstep.ca
- Sustainable Tourism Canada www.sustainabletourism2030.com
- Ecobase Certified www.ecobasecertified.com
For more information contact:
Angela Nagy – CEO
GreenStep Solutions
angela@greenstep.ca
Ellen Walker-Matthews – Experiences Development Specialist
Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association
experiences@totabc.com
News release was written by Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association
*This news release was updated in July 2019 to reflect the launch of the new Sustainable Tourism 2030 initiative and certification program in Canada.