Tourism
ARCHER: The trouble with Penticton’s priorities
Penticton has been all about beaches, peaches, wine and scenery for decades. Our little town is sandwiched between two beautiful lakes and fenced in with mountains and blue skies, so of course it makes sense to market it as a tourist attraction—a place to visit and hopefully stay. But in order for people to stay...
Grab your cameras and binoculars; Marina Way Lookout is open
PENTICTON - The Marina Way Lookout officially opens Thursday evening, revealing the newest view of Okanagan Lake with a celebration and historical tour. The reconstruction project was part of the city’s waterfront enhancement strategy. The vision was to transform the abandoned peninsula — formally used as a Canadian National Railway loading dock — into a...
Skaha Hills Winery to release two labels in 2015
PENTICTON - Skaha Hills Winery is gearing up for this year’s harvest and will release its first batch of white wines next summer. The Winery will release two white labels in 2015, a Viognier, and a Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon blend. Red grapes harvested this year will be made into three red labels—a Merlot, Syrah,...
Penticton Hospitality Association endorses Challenge Penticton
PENTICTON - The Penticton Hospitality Association has officially endorsed Challenge Penticton for a second year in a row. The association donated $15,000 to the Triathlon Society — funding from the Hotel Room Tax dollars that were recently given back to the association by the city. “To have the support again this year from the PHA...
Your weather forecast for Challenge weekend
PENTICTON - The weather will cool off this weekend — a lucky break for triathletes competing in the second Challenge Penticton race on Sunday. There is a chance of rain Thursday through Saturday, with Sunday being the only day not calling for showers. There is a chance of thunderstorms Thursday, with a high of 25...
Challenge Penticton lines up weekend full of events
PENTICTON - The second Challenge triathlon is this Sunday and there are lots of all-ages events lined up in the days before the race. Events start Thursday, Aug. 21 and run for four days. There will be fun runs, a junior triathlon race, party in the park, free yoga and a charity swim. The whole...
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...
Mount Baldy foreclosed, assets for sale
SOUTH OKANAGAN - Mount Baldy Resort and its assets are up for sale after being slapped with a foreclosure notice. Located east of Oliver and Osoyoos, the resort was closed during the 2013-14 season because of financial difficulties. G-Force Real Estate issued a press release last week that said the resort’s assets including land lots,...
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...
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...