The President and CEO of the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) says opening up tourism options for people of all ability levels is a key priority.

Glenn Mandziuk says they’re embarking on a project that is trying to make it easier for communities in the Thompson – Okanagan to promote accessible tourism.

“We’re working with a lot of actual service operators and social enterprise organizations as well to create tourism product offerings that visitors from anywhere can come and experience our area whether it be back country, even parks in our jurisdiction,” he said.

Mandziuk noted in some cases the tourism opportunities already exist, but they’re not being promoted well enough.

“We’re trying to make it easier for people that have mobility challenges particularly to know their way around and find their way around and being offered the experiences anybody would have,” he added.

Mandziuk says many communities throughout the region have already stepped up.

“They’ve really taken this seriously and adopted it in their park systems and their recreation facilities,” he said. “If we don’t promote them, then nobody knows about them. But we do have to create products and that’s why we are working with a lot of social enterprise organizations.”

Mandziuk says $200,000 in funding from the province to develop tourism opportunities in communities affected by the forestry crisis will help.

BC’s Minster of Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Lisa Beare previously told NL News that there are many communities in the province that have great potential for tourism growth.