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Tourism Penticton

Are changes coming for Penticton’s two tourism associations in 2016?

PENTICTON - The city is looking everywhere it can to find ways to cut costs and operate city interests more efficiently and that includes both city entities entrusted with promoting the region's tourism industry. Penticton Mayor Andrew Jakubeit says the overlap in function between the Penticton Hospitality Association and Tourism Penticton could be leveraged to the...

Photo contest awards best in local escapes and landscapes

PENTICTON - Photographers of the South Okanagan got out their cameras in response to the Sep.t 21 launch of a photography contest sponsored by Tourism Penticton. The organization announced the winners of their “Escapes & Landscapes Photography Contest" on Oct. 19, selecting the top three photos from more than 130 entries. Doug Cox took first...

Seasonal tourism business takes a late season hit due to smoke, weather

PENTICTON - Wildfire smoke and a sudden change in the weather has blemished what was a stellar summer in the South Okanagan, according to local tourist operators. The Penticton area was hit hard by smoky skies during the last week of August, conditions which were followed by a sudden change in the weather to cooler...

Penticton getting second WestJet flight

PENTICTON - Tourism Penticton received some good news as the organization welcomes its new executive director. WestJet is adding a second flight to the Peach City. The flight will be added to WestJet's schedule in mid-February, 2016, according to outgoing executive director Chris Bower. Bower says the new flight will depart the Penticton Airport at...

Tourism Penticton firing on all cylinders says departing director

PENTICTON - Leaving Tourism Penticton was a hard decision to make but the executive director says he is giving the group lots of time to move someone new into the role. Departing executive director Chris Bower says leaving his position in Penticton is 'a hard one.' “I really enjoyed my time here. Tourism Penticton and...

Filmmakers invited to show their stuff at Peach Fest

PENTICTON - There is going to be a new form of entertainment at the Penticton Peach Festival this year with the addition of Reel Peach Fest, a new venue for both professional and budding filmmakers to show their stuff. Each night, after 9 p.m., between August 5 and 9 as stagehands prepare for each evening’s round...

Penticton tourism groups ready to put past behind them

PENTICTON - The City of Penticton is anxious to pursue its tourist initiatives, and hopes a renewed association and common goals between three organizations involved in tourist marketing in the city will help rebuild Penticton as a tourist destination. Less than a year ago, three separate entities were fighting with each other for tourism dollars...

ELECTION 2014: Which candidates will step down from high-ranking community groups?

PENTICTON - A handful of council hopefuls may have to leave their high-ranking board positions with community organizations if they are elected next month. Max Picton, Chairman of the Tourism Penticton board, and Campbell Watt, President of the Chamber of Commerce, have both said they will leave their respected positions if they are successful in...

Okanagan Valley ranks No. 2 in world by USA Today

OKANAGAN - Readers of USA Today voted the Okanagan Valley as the second best wine region in the world, with Alentejo, Portugal ranking number one. “It’s important that the world is going to know that we;re a major wine region,” said Chris Bower, executive director of Tourism Penticton. Residents of the Okanagan have always known...

PHA wants to move forward, work with city

PENTICTON - The Penticton Hospitality Association plans to move forward with a positive attitude now that the lawsuit is over between the association and the city, but directors are not impressed with how the city dealt with the matter. In a press release, association directors said the city has been out to get them since...

Tourism marketing succeeds in Penticton despite funding setback

PENTICTON - Tourism officials say tourism is not in danger this season despite a pending court decision for the lawsuit between the City and the Penticton Hospitality Association regarding provincial funds. Earlier in the season, provincial hotel tax funds were frozen because of an ongoing dispute with the city and the hospitality association about how...

Tourism Penticton names new executive director

PENTICTON - After a long wait, Tourism Penticton has named Chris Bower as its new executive director. The organization went through administrative changes this winter and spring, with several administrators leaving their positions, including ex-executive director Jessie Campbell. In his new position, Bower will oversee destination tourism and marketing for Tourism Penticton and the operation...