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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