Challenging but resilient year for tourism in Kelowna

• People supported local businesses
• Hospitality sector faced a wide variety of issues
• Looking forward to rebuilding in the new year

Between climate disasters, transportation issues, and COVID-19, it has been a very difficult year for the hospitality industry.

Despite it all, Tourism Kelowna accomplished a lot and its CEO commenced the resiliency of the industry.

Lisanne Ballantyne told Kelowna10 the year started off on a high note, with CNN featuring Canada in its “21 places to go in 2021” article.

She credited Tourism Kelowna’s work on media relations for the Kelowna mention in the article.

“I think we were called a picturesque, lakeside, wine community. But right away we saw the inquiries on our website go right up,” Ballantyne said.

Ballantyne said that as a community, and through the work of YLW, a new direct route from Montreal to Kelowna was secured, despite the fact air travel and passenger numbers were down.

She said a hyper focus on going local was also prominent in 2021, and that the community was able to come together to have “staycations”.

“I would say the biggest win was that pivot to local that everybody felt,” Ballantyne said.

She said the Kelowna Visitor Centre down at the waterfront is being used by local residents as much as visitors now.

“In a time where local businesses are suffering financially, we were able to bring in more than 100 local businesses and entrepreneurs and artists… and are now selling those locally made or inspired products through our consignment program,” Ballantyne said.

The year was also filled with a variety of challenges. She said there are always a few issues to focus on every year, but what they saw this year and in 2020, was an “incredible, terrible, melting pot of climate conditions, health issues, and now more recently transportation and supply chain logistics.”

“It really was the perfect storm, and I think because of it you’re seeing a tourism and a hospitality industry that is going to carry on, but will look a little bit different when we come out the other side,” Ballantyne said.

For 2022, all things remaining equal, Ballantyne hopes COVID-19 case counts will wane, alongside public health orders.

“What we’re excited about are things like helping air services recover. We’re excited about finally getting business travel to start booking events and conferences here again,” Ballantyne said.

“It’s going to be very much a rebuilding year that’s going to set us on the path to recovery.”