New leadership and focus for Tourism Kelowna
The Tourism Kelowna Society has announced the newly elected directors who will guide the organization through its post-pandemic recovery.
The group held its 2020 annual general meeting in a virtual format to update stakeholders on the strategic focus and annual operations.
Notable achievements over the past year included marketing campaigns to help local businesses survive, being named the top mid-size city in Canada for sport tourism hosting for the second year in a row, an expanded retail program supporting more than 80 local businesses, and an extension of advertising benefits to local businesses at no cost.
Prior to the pandemic, an economic impact survey found that the Central Okanagan tourism industry generated $2.1 billion in economic output, generated nearly 13,000 jobs for residents, and attracted $443 million in spending at local businesses annually. However, the economic impact of the pandemic has been severe. While visitation numbers primarily from in-province travel remained strong in 2020, especially over summer months when travel restrictions were not in place, hotel visitation, length of stay, and visitor spend dropped sharply. In 2020, local hotels and resorts recorded a 40.8% hotel occupancy rate (a drop of over 24.4 points over 2019’s record high).
“Tourism is a valuable economic contributor to our region. And while COVID-19 has presented once-in-a-lifetime challenges for our industry, it has also forced us to work closer and smarter than ever to keep that important industry going,” said Lisanne Ballantyne, President and CEO of Tourism Kelowna. “Kelowna and the Central Okanagan is well-positioned for a strong recovery due to the resilience of our local businesses and the strong draw of our four-season destination.”
Joseph Clohessy, from Delta Hotels and Chair of Tourism Kelowna’s Board of Directors said through the uncertainty of 2020, Tourism Kelowna has remained focused on helping local businesses persevere.
“With our industry facing challenges unlike anything before, the board’s focus has been on managing and mitigating oncoming risk and planning for recovery so the organization and industry can once again prosper and bring increased benefits to our community,” Clohessy said
“I’m proud of the organization’s work this year, and am encouraged by the strength, conviction, and innovation displayed by local businesses through this very difficult year,” said Clohessy. “The efforts local businesses have taken to keep going, despite increased cost of operation and decreased revenue potential, have been incredible. It was also very inspiring to witness our community come together to stay local and support local to help local businesses as much as possible.”
The 2021-22 Tourism Kelowna Society Board of Directors includes:
- Annika Betts, Sandhill Wines
- Audrey Surrao, RauDZ Creative Concepts Ltd.
- Carla Carlson, Comfort Suites Kelowna by Choice Hotels
- Cedric Younge, Hyatt Place Kelowna
- Dale Sivucha, Coast Capri Hotel (Kelowna)
- Edan Fay, The Royal Kelowna
- Gail Given, Counsellor, City of Kelowna
- Jon De Bruyne, Kelowna Concierge
- Joseph Clohessy, Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort
- Kelly Watt, Sandman Hotel & Suites Kelowna
- Kristi Caldwell, Wiseacre Farm Distillery
- Michael J. Ballingall, Big White Ski Resort
- Nataley Nagy, Kelowna Art Gallery
- Natalie Corbett, President, Kelowna Hotel Motel Association; Accent Inns / Hotel Zed
- Penny Gambell, Counsellor, District of Lake Country
- Sam Samaddar, Kelowna International Airport
- Thom Killingsworth, Kelowna Yacht Club
For local tourism research, visit: https://www.tourismkelowna.com/industry/tourism-research/
To read Tourism Kelowna’s 2020 Report to the Community, visit: https://www.tourismkelowna.com/community/report-to-the-community