Chamber still there

The Kelowna Visitor Centre may have moved out of the building at 544 Highway 97 at Ellis Street, but the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce remains.

There’s been some confusion that the whole building is being vacated.

So, the chamber issued a news release clarifying the situation.

“We’re here, we aren’t moving and we welcome all our chamber-related vistors just as we’ve always done,” said chamber executive director Dan Rogers.

“We even have space for lease, about 1,140 square feet, ideal for a not-for profit organization or other business-or-service oriented group. Give us a call.”

The chamber still has 10 staff working out the building, which it has called home for the past 34 years.

The look and feel of the building is expected to evolve over the next few months when a new tenant takes over the space at the front previously occupied by the visitor centre and Tourism Kelowna staff.

The chamber is putting up some new signage to signify its presence in a more prominent way.

The visitor centre is now located in a glossy new premises on the lakeshore at the foot of Queensway Avenue.

Tourists use visitor centres differently now and don’t need a highway location to get hotel recommendation and pick up paper maps.

They prefer to drop into locations in pedestrian zones, like the visitor centre’s new home on the waterfront promenade to get inspiration for staying longer and booking an attraction or tour

Steve MacNaull is the business and wine reporter and columnist at The Daily Courier. Reach him at steve.macnaull@ok.bc.ca.