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Tourism
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...
Okanagan Valley contender for top wine region in world
OKANAGAN - The Okanagan Valley is a top contender for USA Today’s 10 Best Wine Regions to visit. The valley is up against world-renowned wine regions including Tuscany and Veneto, Italy; Nappa Valley, California; Rhone, France; and Marlborough, New Zealand. “Having visited Nappa Valley and Tuscany I firmly believe the Okanagan Valley is equal, if...
Record growth leads to new construction at airport
KAMLOOPS - Traveler numbers are up more than nine per cent during the first six months of the year as tourism and workers travelling to northern camps continue to increase. Kamloops Airport Ltd. says the number of travellers were up by about 1,500 bringing the total number of travellers to 157,068 so far this year,...
Council considers sale of liquor at outdoor market
PENTICTON - Local vendors will soon be able to sell packaged liquor for off-site consumption at farmers’ markets, so long as council approves a change of what defines an “outdoor market.” In order to allow liquor sales and tasting at outdoor markets, the city needs to make a zoning amendment to the current bylaw. The...
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...
Chamber of Commerce on board for an Okanagan rail trail
VERNON – The push for an Okanagan rail trail is picking up steam. The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce has joined the movement to preserve the rail bed between Vernon and Kelowna as a recreational corridor. The chamber unanimously passed a motion to call on all levels of government to take a leadership role in...
Penticton to host 2015 GoMedia Canada Marketplace
PENTICTON - Journalists and media from all over the world will come to wine country next year as Penticton hosts the 2015 GoMedia Canada Marketplace. GoMedia, part of the Canadian Tourism Commission, is the biggest annual consumer media show in the country. The events hosts industry partners from across Canada, the U.S. and 10 international...
New Vernon visitor centre stalled by approval process
VERNON - People passing through Vernon won’t be able to visit the city’s new tourism centre for at least a few more weeks. The visitor information centre was pegged to open May 1 on 39 Avenue beside Civic Arena, but the Ministry of Transportation’s approval process to rezone the property is taking longer than expected....
Summer forecast predicts eastern Canadian vacation invasion
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – It’s going to be hot and dry in B.C. this summer, while our fellow Canadians to the east will experience cool weather from June to August. The meteorologists at AccuWeather have released their Canadian summertime forecast. They predict the West will have a warmer, drier summer compared to normal, while the cool weather...
Downtown Penticton gets hooked up to free Wi-Fi
PENTICTON - Free Wi-Fi will soon be offered in Penticton’s downtown core as part of the downtown revitalization. The City made an agreement with Shaw Go Wi-Fi services to make internet accessible to the public downtown, even if they aren’t Shaw customers. Offering public Wi-Fi is something the city has been talking about for a...