Tourism grant to fight media sensationalism in emergency situations

PENTICTON – The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association has received some provincial funding to help it fight wildfire news with some fire of its own.

Tourism association President and Chief Executive Officer Glenn Mandziuk said in a press release earlier this week contractor Rob Grifone would be taking on the role of crisis management coordinator.

Grifone’s position will be to provide accurate and timely information to be more readily available to residents and tourists alike during emergency situations.

“The key challenge has been the often over dramatization and sensationalism of messaging, through a variety of media sources,” Mandziuk said in the release.

He said it was critical that everyone be kept safe and informed during emergencies but the association also had a responsibility to tell travellers where they can travel to, what areas are unaffected and what routes are open.

“Part of ensuring that this happens is to work much closer with our media partners, keeping them in check as they deliver their news stories,” the release stated.

Mandziuk said the funding assistance “will enable us to get the right information into the traveller’s hands as quickly as possible and help our tourism stakeholders who are unaffected continue to welcome guests."

The move comes following an announcement by the Ministry of Tourism during B.C. Tourism week of $200,000 in one-time grant funding to support regional destination marketing, out of which the Thompson Okanagan Tourist Association received a $25,000 share.


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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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