For Immediate Release
March 20, 2023
Community Well-Being Survey Launches to All
Residents of BC on International Happiness Day
Kelowna, B.C. - The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) is pleased to support the launch of the Community Well-being Survey on the auspicious International Day of Happiness, March 20. The survey is being conducted in collaboration with the British Columbia Regional Tourism Secretariat (BCRTS) and Planet Happiness, a tourism focused arm of the Happiness Alliance non-profit.
The goal is to measure how happy and healthy British Columbia’s residents are feeling and to further strengthen the relationship between the tourism industry, its residents and their well-being. Residents are invited to take the survey now.
British Columbia is an incredible destination full of endless activities to explore nature and connect with others within the province. The survey aims to gain insight from British Columbians on what makes this province an exceptional place to live as well as what brings its residents satisfaction and contentment. The survey contains questions about mental health, lifestyle, hobbies, feelings toward tourism, and daily activities.
The Community Well-being Survey is a state-of-the-art, scientifically-valid tool created by the Happiness Alliance. It is based on the country of Bhutan's pioneering approach to move beyond basic economic measures to determine a population’s “Gross National Happiness.” Inspired by key Buddhist teachings, the term is defined as a “multi-dimensional approach to finding a balance between material well-being and a society’s spiritual, emotional and cultural needs.”
Once the data is analyzed, a one-page destination score-card is produced that provides in-depth, data-rich reports that spark conversations about tourism and destination well-being, and how this relationship can be strengthened within the province.
British Columbians have proven their capacity for resiliency and moving forward together throughout the pandemic. As the world continues to return to normal, the British Columbia Regional Tourism Secretariat (BCRTS) wants to ensure resident well-being is at the forefront of reintegrating tourism to the communities. One of the BCRTS’ objectives is to meet the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and to support recovery efforts in the province due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional goals of this survey initiative include: raising global awareness and participation in the Gross National Happiness (GNH) and “Beyond GDP” agenda, as well as contributing to the BCRTS’ Tourism Impact Portal.
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About Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association:
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) is a not-for-profit society that represents a geographic area nestled in the Southern Interior of British Columbia, Canada. The region’s name is derived from two major geographic features: the Thompson River and Okanagan Lake. TOTA aims to stimulate ongoing sustainable growth by embracing the value of tourism through community engagement, innovative leadership in promoting authentic experiences, and inspiring creative collaboration. Key TOTA initiatives include; Biosphere Certified Gold Destination, 7 Affirmations Pledge, and Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism.
For more information about TOTA visit totabc.org, or visit the consumer facing website thompsonokanagan.com. Connect socially at @thompson_okanagan
About British Columbia Regional Tourism Secretariat:
The British Columbia Regional Tourism Secretariat is a collaboration between the following five regional destination management organizations: Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association, Kootenay Rockies Tourism Association, Northern BC Tourism Association, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association and 4VI (Vancouver Island).
The 5 regions under BCRTS are not-for-profit societies governed by the BC Societies Act. They are an industry-led organization, governed by an elected Board of Directors, who represent and support business and community tourism interests throughout each region.
About Planet Happiness:
Planet Happiness is a TOURISM and BIG DATA project of the Happiness Alliance, working to focus the attention of tourism stakeholders on the well-being agenda to use tourism as a vehicle for development that demonstrably strengthens destination sustainability and the quality of life of host communities.
Planet Happiness helps destinations advance their competitive edge through more inclusive, more responsible and more purposeful tourism planning. Planet Happiness measures the happiness of residents living in World Heritage sites and beyond using the Happiness Index Survey to harvest data that directly measures how individual residents and destination communities view their well-being.
For more information visit www.ourheritageourhappiness.org
About Happiness Alliance
Happiness Alliance is a non-profit organization with a mission to contribute to the transformation of economies and societies so that the happiness of people, the well-being of communities, and the sustainability of ecosystems is the primary aim of governance, enterprise, and people. Since 2010, the Happiness Alliance has provided happiness and well-being tools and resources, including the Happiness Index. Executive director Laura Musikanski has authored multiple books and articles, and is also the co-author of the Happiness Policy Handbook.
For more information visit www.happycounts.org
Media Contact:
Krista Lochhead
krista@hatchhos.com
778.227.2396
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