Flooding concerns have yet to put a damper on the official start to tourist season.

害羞草研究所淭hey only effect we害羞草研究所檝e had is a lot of people calling to see if we害羞草研究所檙e flooding,害羞草研究所� said Neil Bradley, the front desk manager of Samesun, a hostel at the south end of Kelowna.

害羞草研究所淭he media blew it up a lot in the news, so we had to reassure people that it wasn害羞草研究所檛 a problem.害羞草研究所�

The hostel backs onto Mill Creek, and Bradley said that they didn害羞草研究所檛 have the slightest amount of flooding, and that害羞草研究所檚 exactly what they害羞草研究所檝e conveyed to guests. It害羞草研究所檚 been enough to assuage their concerns and the hostel is booked fully for Friday and Saturday of the long weekend, with only one or two beds remaining free over the remainder of the weekend.

It害羞草研究所檚 similar news around the city.

Stan Martindale, general manager of the Ramada Hotel and Conference Centre, said his staff dealt with a few cancellations and fielded a number of inquiries as the week got underway, but things are calming down now.

害羞草研究所淎ll people were seeing was the worst case scenario so they害羞草研究所檙e not getting a balanced view of the city on TV or online,害羞草研究所� he said. Martindale pointed out that the weather forecasted for the weekend is doing a lot to keep the flow of tourists up.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 looking like it害羞草研究所檚 going to be 20 C to 25 C and sunny all weekend,害羞草研究所� he said, adding that from May long weekend right until the middle of September, tourist season is in full swing.

While bookings are still going along well, there are lingering concerns with flooding.

On Thursday, the city released a list of beach closures. that included Sutherland Park, City Park, Lake Avenue Beach Access (south) to Burne Avenue Beach Access, Strathcona Park, Francis Avenue, Maude Roxby Bird Sanctuary, Kinsmen Park and Rotary Beach Park.

These closures will be in effect until the flood has passed and crews are able to remove flood barriers from parks. Signage has been posted at the parks advising of the closure.

害羞草研究所淭he flood protection measures are in place along some of Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 beaches and waterfront parks to help reduce the effect of high water levels,害羞草研究所� said Blair Stewart, parks services manager.

害羞草研究所淲e can害羞草研究所檛 stress enough that the public should not approach, climb or jump on these pieces of equipment. We害羞草研究所檝e made the call to close the beach areas until the flood protection measures can be removed.害羞草研究所�

Although some beach access may be limited, Tourism Kelowna is reinforcing the message that there害羞草研究所檚 a lot more to this valley than the beaches.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 certainly a busy weekend for tourism in Kelowna,害羞草研究所� said Chris Shauf, the director of marketing and communications for Tourism Kelowna.

害羞草研究所淜elowna is a destination that has a lot of activities to offer. When we see things that can害羞草研究所檛 be accessed there害羞草研究所檚 still enough to fill your day and night. You can hike, bike, go downtown or shopping. We are fortunate we have so many things to do.害羞草研究所�

Those who are lake focused are still getting their needs met, too. Jeff Patton, a co-owner of Okanagan Lake Boat rentals said they害羞草研究所檙e still getting 害羞草研究所渢ons of inquiries害羞草研究所� and are renting out boats, albeit at a slower rate than previous May long weekends.

害羞草研究所淧eople are just a little leery, but basically it害羞草研究所檚 business as usual,害羞草研究所� Patton said.

害羞草研究所淲e have a procedure guide and we害羞草研究所檙e just telling people to be extra careful and we want them to stay in the middle of the lake.害羞草研究所�

Patton said that crews have been removing a lot of debris from the lake, but they害羞草研究所檙e telling their customers where the high water areas to stay away from are and what areas are safe.

Police, he said, are also expected to be on the lake this weekend, enforcing speed limits to reduce further lake erosion.