In an attempt to boost local tourism and economic stability outside of summer months, South Okanagan visitor centres are developing new ways to bring people to the Southern Interior year-round.
The 2024 summer season saw more than 30 per cent less tourism than previous years since the pandemic lockdowns of 2020. Tourism organizations have attributed the change to a number of factors, including: wildfires, increased cost of living, and fewer Airbnb-style accommodations.
Now, local tourism organizations Destination Osoyoos and Visit Oliver are focusing on winter visitation and shoulder-season strategies.
Destination Osoyoos is focusing on longer-term snowbird stays, due to its warmer climate as a semi-arid desert. It’s also highlighting skiing packages with Baldy Mountain Resort, as well as featuring outdoor ecotourism.
“Osoyoos offers a range of winter activities including hiking, cycling, and birdwatching,” said Kelsey Scagnetti, Destination Osoyoos marketing manager, in an email. “The winter shoulder season strategy emphasizes these experiences to appeal to travellers looking for outdoor adventure and sustainable tourism.”
Such adventure initiatives include Cruise the Crowsnest Highway, the Okanagan Bird Trail, Okanagan Single Track, Travelling Out, and Great Taste of Canada.
Osoyoos’ All Hallows Festival, which wrapped up on Sunday. was partially funded by the province to enhance shoulder-season events.
Oliver Tourism will be launching a new website with story-based features on local businesses to highlight the faces of the community.
Oliver’s District Wine Village is offering free public skating on the weekends as of Nov. 1.
Additionally, its Light-Up event on Nov. 29 is expected to bring traffic to the town.The tourism organization will be carrying out a year-in-review at the end of the year and highlighting its plan for 2025.
Osoyoos, Oliver, and the Osoyoos Indian Band, will be organizing the South Okanagan Fire and Ice Festival from Nov. 22 to Dec. 8, which is expected to bring a number of visitors to the towns.
Additionally, Osoyoos received support from the province’s Resort Municipality Initiative, aimed at extending and diversifying sustainable tourism in resort locations.
Earlier in August, some hotels and resorts saw increased number of fall bookings, however it will take a couple of months before the data can be analyzed.
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