Manic Monday | Tourism Information Centres not Just for Visitors

The May Long Weekend always feels like the start of the summer Tourism Season in the Thompson Okanagan. Many attractions and activities open up after the long winter and we start to see vegetable and fruit stands coming to life along with other roadside vendors, food trucks,  farmers markets, and more. Everywhere you can feel the anticipation of summer in the air.

It is also when numerous Visitor Information Centres around the region, that are not all open year-round, once again open their doors and welcome our guests.

There are fantastic centers around the entire region offering travel ideas and advice on things to do. Many of the centres also have terrific gift and souvenir items, often sourced from local producers, artists, and companies. While these centers are promoted as "visitor services" they are also a great resource for those of us that live in these communities.

The Route 97 Connector Visitor Inspiration Centre, operated by TOTA, is currently open Wednesday - Sunday until the end of June when it will operate 7 days a week. Located just above Peachland, it is a gateway into the region welcoming more than 40,000 visitors annually. Over the coming weeks, it will be undergoing a number of significant changes to make it even more welcoming, thanks, in part to a BC Rural Dividend Grant.

Take the time to drop into one of the visitor centers around the Thompson Okanagan, you will be surprised about how much there is to learn and even to buy!

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO