Tourism Matters to our Community
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Tourism Kelowna

STAKEHOLDER BULLETIN #12

TOURISM MATTERS TO OUR COMMUNITY

MAY 22, 2020

British Columbia is now in Phase 2 of our re-start plan, which saw many local businesses re-open with additional public health measures in place. No doubt these measures bring additional considerations for business owners knowing it will impact operations, employees, and the customer experience. Please continue to watch for updates from WorkSafeBC and industry/sector associations for guidance. As more businesses re-start, I’m reminded at how resourceful and resilient our industry is, and I’m encouraged to see businesses are keeping a positive tone and focusing on the opportunities ahead (despite the challenges) as they re-open to locals. Welcome back!

Tourism Week 2020: May 24-31

Each year, the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) and provincial tourism associations including the Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) spearhead a national tourism week initiative to draw attention to the importance of our tourism industry. Nationally, tourism is a $102 billion dollar industry. Provincially, it is worth over $20.5 billion, and locally over $1.25 billion. This year, as our industry begins to recover from the biggest disruptor it has ever faced, it becomes more important than ever before to shine a spotlight on the positive economic and social impact of tourism. Throughout the week, Tourism Kelowna will highlight local tourism and hospitality businesses, and the people working within these sectors, who so passionately deliver important benefits to our community.

Show Your Love for Kelowna Day

To cap off Tourism Week 2020, Tourism Kelowna will launch our first Show Your Love for Kelowna Day on May 30. We will use this day to encourage residents to get out and support local businesses, share content and photos about the beautiful city we live in, and wear Love for Kelowna or other Okanagan apparel to show their pride. I invite you, your team, and your businesses to participate in this day as well. It’s as easy as showing appreciation for another business you work with, thanking your customers for their support, or sharing online content.

Help us celebrate by sharing photos and stories on your social media channels and including #exploreKelownalocal, #BCTourismMatters, and #TourismWeek. We love to amplify great news about our tourism businesses! You can find out more about Tourism Week and Show Your Love for Kelowna Day on our website.

The Road Ahead

If transmission rates remain low in our province and we can proceed to Phase 3 of the re-start plan, we will see more businesses open and people begin travelling within BC, perhaps as early as June. Generating new revenue from visitors is vital for our local tourism industry’s survival. Soon, we will re-activate our marketing efforts, expanding them stage by stage and market by market, in line with the guidance from our province’s public health officer. Please stay connected and watch for further details on our recovery efforts.

A final note – please save the date for our Annual General Meeting coming up June 16 at 2 p.m. Invitations will be issued shortly to all voting stakeholders for Tourism Kelowna’s first virtual AGM. 

Stay safe. Be well.

Lisanne Ballantyne
President & CEO
Tourism Kelowna

 

If you have questions or updates about your businesses, please contact us at info@tourismkelowna.com.

A list of important resources is available on Tourism Kelowna’s COVID-19 web page and you can sign up for our Industry News Centre bulletins.

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Tourism Kelowna

238 Queensway, Kelowna, BC V1Y 6S4, Canada

1-800-663-4345 | tourismkelowna.com

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