With a staff complement of four persons under the direction of its Board of Directors, COTA works primarily in the areas of proactive and reactive advocacy as well as communications. The organization has accumulated an impressive list of deliverables over the years, and in the past year has been responsible or principally involved in the following:

• Mining/Exploration/Tourism Memorandum of Understanding
• Settlement of the contentious Lillooet Land and Resource Use Plan
• Successful Tourism Industry Conference
• Release of a Comprehensive Insurance/Financing Report
• Launch of an Insurance / Risk Management Program
• Release of the first draft of a Tourism Transportation Strategy
• Overhaul of the provincial motor carrier licensing system
• Tourism Futures Strategy, leading to a doubling of tourism marketing funds for British Columbia

A concerted effort by industry experts brings issues straight to the policy makers. COTA analyzes policies, develops relationships with key government and industry stakeholders and works to reduce regulatory barriers affecting the tourism industry, thereby facilitating the business of its members. Membership in COTA means participation in the formation of these advocacy and lobbying agendas aimed at all levels of government.

COTA's advocacy efforts are facilitated by its dedication to research. To ensure COTA is representative of the province, COTA seeks input from both its members and industry. COTA researches issues before developing position statements, ensuring that policies are the result of well informed and represented decisions.

COTA works hard to keep its members up to date with industry developments through COTA's many communications. COTA publishes Tourism News, COTA Alerts, and Monthly Member Updates.

COTA offers its members the opportunity to sit on the COTA Council, network with tourism colleagues, and share ideas and opportunities at private functions. Throughout the year COTA hosts Issue Forums, Council Meetings and, along with its partners, the BC Tourism Industry Conference.