Visitors want more than to bake at beach
Tourism Kelowna official says today’s tourist wants to go on walking tours or to art shows
On the August holiday weekend, families flock to lakes and cottages for the quintessential Canadian summer experience.
But in Kelowna, it’s a more urban experience many tourists may be seeking.
Monday is a holiday in most provinces, known as B.C. Day in this province.
British Columbians often celebrate the natural beauty of their province by taking their three free days to go boating or head to the hills. In Kelowna, though, this might be changing.
“People know about the beaches, the lake, the wineries,” said Lisanne Ballantyne, president and CEO of Tourism Kelowna. “They’re starting to go for the urban experience, asking about walking tours and art shows.”
Tourism Kelowna, which at the end of June opened a new visitor centre downtown on the lakeshore, saw 1,200 people through the building in July, 766 of whom stopped to talk to the volunteers.
“That’s a year’s worth of traffic in our old location, in one month,” Ballantyne said.
The August long weekend is traditionally one of Kelowna’s busiest weekends, and hotels are close to capacity. Despite the influx of tourists, life in the Okanagan continues much the same.
“There’s no centrepiece event, but that’s because there’s so much going on in the Okanagan already,” Ballantyne said.
Parks Alive! will be providing some indie rock in Kerry Park tonight and Saturday from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. For more live music, head to City Park between 1 and 3 p.m. on Sunday.
West Kelowna has its regular Friday Music in the Park, starting at 6:40 p.m. tonight in Memorial Park, headlined by Sammi Morelli.
Lake Country’s weekly music in the park event goes at 6:40 p.m. Saturday in Swalwell Park, with a jazz theme this week.
The Kelowna Actors Studio production of Mamma Mia is playing nightly to Aug. 11 at the Kelowna Community Theatre.
Families can check out Park & Play from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday in Hartwick Park on Clifton Road. Free games give neighbours of all ages an opportunity to meet.
Visitors could also swing by the Kelowna Farmers’ and Crafters’ Market across from Orchard Park mall on Saturday morning, or weekend markets in Westbank and Peachland, hike to Paul’s Tomb or jostle for space at the beach.
The weather forecast is for clouds and rain today but mostly sunny skies on the weekend.