Despite controversy over the placement of Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 new visitor centre on the downtown lakeshore, Tourism Kelowna says the number of people who used the centre during its first six months of operation appears to support the location.
Tourism Kelowna, which held its annual general meeting Tuesday, said 108,000 people have passed through the doors of the visitor centre at the foot of Queensway since it opened in June, more double the expected number.
When it opened, Tourism Kelowna said it expected 100,000 visitors during the first year of operation, substantially more than its former location on Highway 97 saw.
The $2.8 million visitor centre replaced the former centre, which was located in the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce building.
RELATED: New Kelowna visitor centre opens
Opponents of the new building questioned its location and a lack of a dedicated parking for the centre. They also opposed the city providing land they felt should be used as waterfront parkland.
The land, a former parking lot and the original landing spot for the ferry that used to bring people and vehicles across Okanagan Lake from the Westside before construction of the former Okanagan Lake Floating Bridge, was designated parkland, but was never used as a park.
Proponents argued it was the right location because it would serve more people as visitors and locals alike spent time, downtown and on the city害羞草研究所檚 popular lakeshore promenade. They also said today害羞草研究所檚 travellers tend to already have their accommodation arranged when they arrive and need information one they are here. They also do more planning using mobile devices such as cell phones and tablets.
At Tuesday害羞草研究所檚 AGM, Tourism Kelowna board chairman Thom Killingsworth said the building, paid for by tourism promotion organization, was completed on time and on budget.
害羞草研究所淲e are proud of our accomplishments and appreciative to have an amazing operational team and an engaged volunteer board made up of hard-working individuals, each representing different elements of our industry but all coming together for the best interests of the destination,害羞草研究所� said Killingsworth.
害羞草研究所淭his year proved yet again that we have the right team in place, working on the right priorities, at the right time.害羞草研究所�
Lisanne Ballantyne, Tourism Kelowna president and CEO said the past 12 months were pivotal for the tourism industry in Kelowna and neighbouring communities.
She said while there was a strong start to the year with hotel occupancy levels at all-time highs, weather-related challenges brought overnight visitation down in the summer season.
Kelowna害羞草研究所� skies were shrouded in smoke from forest fires in other parts of the province for most of the summer and the poor air quality lead to the cancellation of some high-profile outdoor events including the Apple Triathlon and the annual dragon boat races.
But Ballantyne said occupancy levels rebounded and by the end of the year, they were slightly higher than last year.
害羞草研究所淲e have a strong, resilient tourism industry but going forward, diversifying our tourism offerings will be key in our evolution to becoming a four-season outdoor destination,害羞草研究所� said Ballantyne
害羞草研究所淲e have new market opportunities in 2019 that will solidify that path and set us well on the way to our goal of 3.5 million annual visitors by 2022.害羞草研究所�
Reports from the Tourism Kelowna board of directors and Ballantyne highlighted the success of a new, major events program, the launch of a multi-year winter strategy, campaigns targeting new markets like LGBTQ travel, culinary tourism and Indigenous offerings for what Kelowna Tourism describes as 害羞草研究所渁uthentic害羞草研究所� culture seekers.
The organization害羞草研究所檚 work in positioning Kelowna as a certified sustainable tourism destination was also highlighted, along with its recognition with international certification through the Destination Marketing accreditation program, demonstrating adherence to stringent industry standards.
Tourism Kelowna Society害羞草研究所檚 2019 Board was also confirmed.
The list of directors and executive committee members include:
害羞草研究所� Katie Balkwill - Big White Ski Resort
害羞草研究所� Kristi Caldwell - Caldwell Heritage Farms / Wiseacre Farm Distillery
害羞草研究所� Carla Carlson - Comfort Suites Kelowna
害羞草研究所� Joseph Clohessy - Delta Grand Okanagan Resort
害羞草研究所� Dana Crichton - Four Points by Sheraton Kelowna Airport
害羞草研究所� Debbie Dupasquier - Bluestar Charters
害羞草研究所� Penny Gambell - Lake Country City Council
害羞草研究所� Gail Given - Kelowna City Council 害羞草研究所� Thom Killingsworth - Kelowna Yacht Club
害羞草研究所� Patricia Leslie - Gray Monk Estate Winery 害羞草研究所� Stan Martindale - Ramada Kelowna Hotel & Conference Centre
害羞草研究所� Dan Matheson - Okanagan Golf Club 害羞草研究所� Nataley Nagy - Kelowna Art Gallery 害羞草研究所� Sam Samaddar - Kelowna International Airport
害羞草研究所� Heather Schroeter - Manteo Resort Waterfront Hotel & Villas
害羞草研究所� Dale Sivucha - Kelowna Hotel Motel Association
害羞草研究所� Tanya Stroinig - Prestige Hotels & Resorts
害羞草研究所� Cedric Young - Fairfield Inn & Suites Kelowna
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