Okanagan tourism organizations are urging tourists to exercise common sense if they are still wanting to drive into the Southern Interior for non-essential travel.

The association is telling tourists to follow provincial guidelines on non-essential travel due to the ongoing wildfires in the Thompson-Okanagan region. Postpone for a few days if they can and follow provincial orders to make sure everyone is safe.

害羞草研究所淪afety is our number one concern. We are following provincial announcements very carefully to make sure everyone is safe, even if some places are opening up now,害羞草研究所� said TOTA chief executive officer Ellen Walker-Matthews.

The statement comes after the provincial safety minister urged travellers to avoid non-essential travel into the Southern Interior due to the wildfires in the region. While the association is expecting the provincial messaging to impact tourism in the region, it does not expect it to last for longer than a few days.

害羞草研究所淲e are definitely expecting impacts to tourism but hoping that it will only be a shorter period of time, especially with cooler temperatures right now,害羞草研究所� said Walker-Matthews.

Tourism Kelowna also made a similar statement. 害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e asking everyone to do their part, be mindful of the conditions, and make safe and responsible decisions. Please follow the guidance from any emergency response personnel in place and if adhere to any alerts or orders in place,害羞草研究所� it said in an emailed statement. 害羞草研究所淧lease stay clear from any areas where a response effort is underway to help emergency responders do their important work.害羞草研究所�

TOTA is reminding everyone that the situation remains dynamic and unpredictable and tourists should exercise caution if they still choose to vacation in the region. 害羞草研究所淎gain, we want everyone to follow provincial guidelines and make sure to stay safe during this time,害羞草研究所� added Walker-Matthews.

TOTA did not comment specifically on the number of reservations that have been impacted by wildfires or non-essential travel requests.

Airbnb has activated its extenuating circumstances policy on July 23 for reservations in impacted areas of B.C. It currently pertains to reservations booked before July 23 and checking in between July 23 and Aug. 21.

害羞草研究所淗osts and guests with eligible reservations can cancel penalty-free through this policy. We are closely monitoring the situation and following guidance from emergency management authorities on the ground,害羞草研究所� said Airbnb in an email.

VRBO said that natural disasters do not override the cancellation policy set by the host and agreed to by the guest when they book. It recommends that travellers buy travel insurance that provides the right coverage to help protect their vacation plans.

READ MORE: UPDATE: 1 structure damaged, Mount Law wildfire evac order lifted for most in West Kelowna

paula.tran@kelownacapnews.com
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