Manic Monday | Kettle Valley Rail Trail gets a great boost!

This past Friday, Minister Lisa Beare spoke briefly in Kelowna following her tour from the air of the Kettle Valley Rail Trail. Without question, our new Minster of Tourism, Arts and Culture has become an enthusiastic supporter of this iconic tourism experience and it was indeed an honour to be a part of hosting her.

We are at a unique moment. Over many years, countless individuals have worked tirelessly for the vision of a Rail Trail on the Kettle Valley that could provide economic benefits to rural communities, support entrepreneurial tourism businesses, increase international visitation to the region and offer locals and residence an exceptional outdoor soft adventure experience.

While there have been wins along the way in the past several years, more and more concerns has been raised over the ongoing deterioration of sections on the  trail and a severe shortage of funds to continue to maintain and grow this valuable asset.

This month the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association received notification that we have been awarded $500,000 grant from the BC Rural Dividend Fund through the Ministry of Forest, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development to match dollars already raised. With additional strong support from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and Destination BC,  these monies will be used to focus on the Kettle Valley Rail Trail and to assist us in working with our partners at Destination BC, Recreation Sites and Trails BC, Regional Districts, City and Community DMO's and especially with our numerous stakeholders who are aligned with this project. We intend to see these funds used to assist us all in re-igniting the process of enhancing the quality and experience of this rail trail as well as elevating the ongoing marketing efforts that can and will benefit not only our larger centres but importantly bring new revenue opportunities to our small communities.

I’m very proud of the team at TOTA for their ongoing support, leadership, patience, and tenacity to see this project through!

It is only the beginning, there is much work to be done and much more money to be raised, however the momentum is undeniable and the opportunity is now.  The train, as they say, has left the station and we sure hope to see many many jump on board.

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Get up, get out and hit the trails...

Have you ever taken the time to experience some of our region's Rail Trails and see first hand what we and so many of our visitors are talking about?  Fall is the perfect time to get up, get out, and hit the trails..... or if you have ridden or hiked them before, find a section you haven't done - there are literally hundreds of kilometers to explore. The rail trail grade is never more than 3 percent so almost anyone can take on the challenge without too much complaining from your muscles!

I have had the opportunity to cycle a portion of the Kettle Valley Rail Trail from Chute Lake to Penticton;  a great adventure that should be on everyone's bucketlist. From the unique history of the Chute Lake Lodge where the owners, who have been there for 50 years, are still famous for their pie, to the spectacular views as you pedal high above Okanagan Lake with all of this followed by a  mouth watering market pizza at Joie Winery perfectly paired with a glass of pinot blanc. Travel the world if you like but these jewels exist right in our own back yard. The entire experience definitely left me wanting more.

These former rail lines have the ability to put the Thompson Okanagan on the world stage in ways we have never seen. Travelers from around the world are motivated to seek out places to visit based on criteria that we are well equipped to meet with products such as the Rail Trails.

Get up, get out and see what we have and what they may become...you'll be glad you did…

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Rail Tails…

Over history people of all ages have been fascinated with the Railway.  Massive machines travelling at high speed along thin metals rails, the concept seemingly impossible, and yet each small town along the route bore witness to its reality.

Being in the presence of a train was and still is almost magical, they have a mythical quality akin to something almost unworldly, like the concept of dragons or dinosaurs. The rail lines themselves provided their own unique fascination. The “tracks” that passed through each town were a constant reminder of the worlds that lay just beyond and the promise of things and people to come - this incredible, almost implausible, transportation system that built our regions, our provinces and a nation.  It is therefore not surprising that there is a sense of melancholy as train routes over time have been replaced by other less costly and more efficient modes of transportation.

Today in many locations, and specifically within the Thompson Okanagan, these former rail lines have been and are being reinvented through the Rails to Trails initiatives. Hundreds of miles of rail line reborn as trails for outdoor enthusiasts.  Fortunately, the rail lines for the most part were built with less than a 3% grade in order for the trains of the day to be able to navigate the routes thus providing us trails that are quite accessible for many ages and abilities. These trails not only provide our communities with healthy outdoor recreational options but create the strong potential for increased domestic and international tourism visitors.

To that end, TOTA with the support of Destination BC brought together hundred of industry stakeholders and community leaders over the course of the past several months to complete a Rail Trail Tourism Strategy that we believe will assist in ensuring these Rail Trails are not only established, but that there is a plan in place for their longer term development and ongoing maintenance allowing for future generations to enjoy the trails as well as the stories and history of these great routes.

Over history the railway brought economic development and financial benefits to communities throughout our region. Today, thanks again to the railway lines this same potential is being realized as businesses along these former rail corridors are developing or redeveloping themselves to provide services to the growing number of visitors to these trails. One initiative that TOTA also worked closely on this past winter with Destination BC was the implementation of the Remarkable Experiences Business Development pilot.  The program brought together 10 operators of various sizes and types from Christina Lake to Summerland that all play a role in the Kettle Valley Rail Trail experience .  Through workshops and training this business operators saw the potential for their products and services, expanded their reach online, and realized that they were better and stronger working together as collaborators than as competitors (view video).

The Rail Trails of the Thompson Okanagan have significant potential for our future economic vitality ... lets all get on board!

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO