Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Showcasing Grand Forks Recovery From 2018 Floods

In 2018, the spring thaw caused intense flooding in Grand Forks, B.C. Many people lost their homes, businesses, and livelihoods. Six years later, the community has come a long way towards recovery and built up resilience to handle extreme weather in the future. A video release from the Government of BC shows the extraordinary efforts, and stories on the path to future flood mitigation, and how far they have come, in the city of Grand Forks.

Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission Business and Workforce Survey

The Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission (COEDC) is inviting businesses, residents, and local workers to complete a short survey to understand the needs of local businesses and the workforce, as well as the perceptions of business owners and employee’s regarding working and doing business in the region.

Survey respondents can enter to win one of two $150 prepaid Visas or one of two $100 local business gift baskets.

The survey is open until September 30, 2024.

Job Opportunity: Marketing Manager - Travel Penticton

Travel Penticton is searching for a full-time Marketing Manager for a 12-15 month contract starting in October 2024.

Please send your resume and cover letter to employment@visitpenticton.com

BC Wildlife Park in Kamloops “Conservation Minutes” YouTube Series on Fire Prevention

The BC Wildlife Park in Kamloops hosts educational YouTube series called "Conservation Minutes." This series offers practical, actionable, advice on how people, businesses, and organizations can make changes to take care of the planet's ecosystems and wildlife.

From water conservation tips to poisonous plants for pets, these videos are designed to educate and inspire. The most recent installment is a fire prevention segment to help individuals and organization be more fire smart.

Learn more and watch the "Conservation Minutes" series on YouTube.

New Accessible Viewing Platform at Helmcken Falls

A new fully accessible viewing platform has opened at Helmcken Falls, ensuring visitors of all abilities can experience the iconic waterfall while also enhancing the park’s commitment to accessibility and inclusivity.

Wells Gray Provincial Park invites visitors to plan their trips as they offer the beauty of the park to a broader audience.

Learn more about the newly opened platform from the full press release.

Indigenous Tourism BC Job Opportunity: Indigenous Tourism Specialists

Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) is looking for candidates for an Indigenous Tourism Specialist position in four of the province’s regions including the Thompson Okanagan.

This is a full-time position and the Indigenous Tourism Specialist will support the advancement of Indigenous Tourism by providing responsible and respectful regional-specific support through meaningful engagement with local communities and tourism partners.

Interested candidates can submit a cover letter, resume, and references to gail@IndigenousBC.com by August 9, 2024.

New Flight Routes Coming to Kelowna International Airport

Kelowna International Airport (YLW) will welcome 3 new routes in late 2024 and early 2025.

Pacific Coastal Airlines has announced a new direct flight route connecting Prince George to Kelowna. This flight will run 6 days a week from Sunday to Friday, starting October 28, 2024.

Alaska Airlines has announced a daily, non-stop, seasonal route connecting Los Angeles to Kelowna. This service will start on December 19, 2024.

WestJet has also announced new routes connecting Seattle and Kelowna, starting in January 2025.

WestJet announces new flights from Seattle to Kelowna

WestJet will connect Kelowna and Seattle with a new daily service starting in January 2025. This route will enhance connectivity between these regions and a wide network of U.S. destinations via Seattle, thanks to WestJet's partnership with Delta Air Lines. WestJet's Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer John Weatherill emphasized that this service will offer convenient and affordable travel options for both business and leisure throughout the year.

WestJet will serve 12 destinations from Kelowna this winter with up to 20 daily departures out of YLW during peak winter travel.

Read the full announcement from WestJet.

Review and Provide Feedback to the New DriveBC Website

The DriveBC website is undergoing improvements, and people are invited to test the new version and provide feedback.

The updated site will be easier to use, more reliable, and personalized, helping drivers plan safe and efficient trips. Key features include a simplified map, clearer event notifications, and enhanced mobile experience.

Individuals can test the new site and complete a survey to provide feedback and help to improve the new site.

Drivers should continue using the current site for travel planning until the updates are finalized.

Visit the DriveBC test site to review and participate in the survey here.

BC Wine Industry Celebrates Direct to Consumer Shipping to Alberta

The BC wine industry welcomes the news that BC wineries can now ship directly to Alberta consumers, thanks to a new agreement between the provinces.

This comes at a perfect time as many Albertans visit BC wineries after the Calgary Stampede, marking an increase in summer travel for the Alberta market. Although the Alberta direct-to-consumer market is a small part of BC's wine sales, it is important for growth, offering high-end products and building customer relationships.

Industry leaders, including Wine Growers BC and Hester Creek Estate Winery, are pleased with the renewed connection, which supports BC wine tourism and the local economy. Wine Growers BC thanks both provincial premiers and local MLAs for their support in making this agreement possible.

Energy-Saving Support for Small Businesses

GreenStep Solutions is hosting a webinar with FortisBC to introduce the FortisBC Energy-Saving Support for Small Businesses program. Organizations can attend the 45-minute virtual sessions to learn more about the program.

About the Energy-Saving Support for Small Businesses Program:

FortisBC is offering small and medium-sized businesses free customized energy advice, members can connect with Business Energy Advisors with a 15 to 30-minute consultation via phone call, video call, or in-person visit to learn about:

• Low-cost/no-cost tips to reduce energy use and operating costs

• Information about FortisBC rebates on high-efficiency equipment

• Support in getting quotes from contractors and applying for rebates

• Applying for retroactive rebates on equipment installed in the last 365 days

Register below to attend one of the free virtual informational sessions: 

July 23, 2024 @ 11:00 AM PST

August 6, 2024 @ 11:00 AM PST

Okanagan College breaks ground on new centre for food, wine, and tourism

Okanagan College’s Kelowna Campus is welcoming a new centre for food, wine, and tourism that will include modern teaching spaces, food labs, beverage research and development facilities, and common spaces.

The centre is the first of its kind, a collaboration will bring food, wine, and tourism programs to the campus first of its kind, a partnership between students and businesses in the food, beverage, hospitality and resort industries, and will address the labour shortages in the industry by expanding its culinary enrolment by more than 125 students per year, and hospitality and tourism enrolment by 450 students per year.

Plans unveiled for the new Centre for Food, Wine, and Tourism

Read the entire Okanagan College Press Release

Destination Development Case Studies

Destination BC has put together 12 case studies that showcase the positive impact of tourism's social, cultural, and economic advantages through destination development initiatives.

Read the case study about how Larch Hills Nordic Society and Overlander Ski Club have improved trails and added lighting to bring in more people to cross-country ski at night.

Read the case study about how Big White Ski Resort, SilverStar Mountain Resort, and Sun Peaks Resort answered the demand for more accessible mountain bike infrastructure.

People invited to test drive the next DriveBC website

The popular DriveBC website is being revamped and people are invited to provide feedback on the improvements.

Drivers use the site to plan safe and efficient trips, get the latest information on road incidents, construction and maintenance, and view hundreds of highway webcams. The new DriveBC will be easier to use, more reliable and more personalized, allowing drivers to focus on their routes.

Learn more and view test site →

Wine Growers BC 2025 Operational Plan

Wine Growers British Columbia (WGBC) recently released its Fiscal 2025 Operational Plan. This year, the plan is focuses on five key Board-approved objectives:

• Build a world-class brand for Wines of British Columbia

• Position BC as a premier wine region with trade

• Make BC wine country a benchmark for wine tourism

• Strengthen wine industry leadership

• Leverage government advocacy efforts

In consideration of the challenges facing the BC wine industry, the Annual Operational Plan has been developed to address the current environment while still retaining the flexibility necessary to help industry and member wineries meet new and emerging challenges.

View Plan

Destination Canada Announces New Tourism Strategy

Destination Canada President and CEO Marsha Walden and The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism, launched the new tourism strategy at Rendez-vous Canada in Edmonton, titled "A World of Opportunity." 

This strategy focuses on transforming the tourism sector and positioning Canada back in the top seven global destinations by 2030. 

The plan follows four strategic drivers: sector advancement, brand leadership, destination development, and collective intelligence. 

For more information, see the Destination Canada Strategic Plan. 

Wells Gray Tours Donates $50,000 to BC Parks Foundation, for expansion of Okanagan Lake Provincial Park

Wells Gray Tours, a leading tour operator with five offices in British Columbia, announced their annual donation of $50,000 to the BC Parks Foundation. This generous contribution will support the acquisition of 28 acres on Okanagan Lake and the expansion of Okanagan Lake Provincial Park.

Founded in May 1972 by Roland Neave, Wells Gray Tours emerged from a fervent mission to protect the natural wonders of Wells Gray Park. Initially conceived to advocate against proposed dams on the Clearwater River, the company has since grown into the largest outbound tour operator in the B.C. Interior. Over the past 52 years, Wells Gray Tours has remained steadfast in its dedication to offering unparalleled travel experiences while championing environmental sustainability.

"The heart of Wells Gray Tours has always been a burning desire to preserve the natural beauty of our environment," said Roland Neave, Founder of Wells Gray Tours. "Our commitment to environmental stewardship is woven into the fabric of our company.  We are proud to continue this tradition and the donation is given on a rotational basis each year through one of our five offices, Kamloops, Kelowna. Penticton, Vernon, and Victoria who select a project. Our Kelowna office this year has chosen to support the BC Parks Foundation in their efforts to protect and expand Okanagan Lake Provincial Park."

The donation from Wells Gray Tours will contribute significantly to the BC Parks Foundation's mission to enhance and expand the park. The acquisition of additional land on Okanagan Lake will not only safeguard vital habitats, but also provide greater opportunities for outdoor recreation and education for generations to come.

The 2025 donation of $50,000 will be handled by Wells Gray Tours' Penticton office and will go to an environmental or conservation project in the South Okanagan. Charitable organizations are welcome to submit proposals until April 30, 2025.

For more information contact Joan Niemeier, 1-250-826-6650.

Predator Ridge Announces Ritz-Carlton Residences

Congratulations to Predator Ridge as they bring a luxury brand to the Okanagan Region. Predator Ridge, owned by Wesbild Holdings Ltd., will build the prestigious Ritz-Carlton Residences, Okanagan, in 2026. This will be the first Ritz-Carlton standalone branded residential development in Western Canada.

The development will be situated above the Outlook neighborhood and feature high-end luxury homes and villas. The Residences are a major step forward for Predator Ridge and the surrounding area, providing ample opportunities to stimulate growth within the Canadian economy. 

There has been a growing consumer demand for branded, standalone properties within resort-style, amenity-rich communities with Residences currently in Montreal and Toronto. The Ritz-Carlton is a world-renowned luxury brand that is continuing to grow in Canada.

For more information, see the Predator Ridge Media Release. 

BC Hotel Association Announces Launch of Emergency Management Central Booking Portal

The BC Hotel Association (BCHA), in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, and the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, has announced the development of the Emergency Management Central Booking Portal. 

The reservation system aims to accelerate the process of sheltering evacuees by enhancing the coordinating and booking efficiencies for Emergency Support Services (ESS) evacuee support in B.C. for the year 2024. 

The pilot reservation system will go live in three host communities, Kamloops, Kelowna, and Prince George, in June 2024. The system will provide live availability for accommodations while simultaneously tracking evacuee placements.

Learn More

Pacific Coastal Airlines Expands Service Between Vancouver and Penticton for Spring and Summer 2024

We are thrilled that Pacific Coastal Airlines has expanded their flight services between Vancouver International Airport South Terminal (YVR) and Penticton Regional Airport (YYF) for the upcoming Spring and Summer seasons.

From April 28 through June 22, 2024, travellers can enjoy increased connectivity with two daily flights operated by the reliable Saab 340B aircraft, accommodating up to 34 passengers.

From June 23 to September 7, 2024, Pacific Coastal Airlines will further expand its services to three flights on Sundays, Mondays, and Fridays, and select Wednesdays, as well as maintain two flights on Tuesdays and Thursdays, all operated by the Saab 340B aircraft. Additionally, a Saturday service will be provided using the Beechcraft 1900, accommodating up to 19 passengers, offering an up to 1,126 seat increase overall each week.

These flights will be key in providing travellers with convenience and flexibility when planning their journeys and demonstrate Pacific Coastal Airline’s commitment to making the Thompson Okanagan more accessible to air travellers.

To celebrate the expansion of flights to and from Penticton, Pacific Coastal Airlines is offering a special promotion. Passengers can enjoy a 20% discount on bookings using the promo code: YYF20 Further details regarding the promotion can be found on the Pacific Coastal Airlines website.

Learn more about these new flights at PacificCoastal.com.