Tourism Kelowna welcomes border reopening

• Canada-U.S Border opened Monday
• Tourism Kelowna excited to bring in U.S. travellers
• Easement of travel restrictions benefiting industry

With the Canada-U.S. border having reopened Monday for the first time in almost 20 months, the Kelowna tourism industry is looking forward to welcoming a potentially large segment of foreign visitors.

U.S. residents have not been able to cross the land border since March 2020.

“The Canada-U.S. border openings are hugely positive and so important for the province of B.C.,” Tourism Kelowna CEO Lisanne Ballantyne told Kelowna10 ahead of the border gates reopening.

“It’s going to absolutely help kick start provincial recovery, and at the same time, I can tell you we’re going to expect some leakage here in the Interior, in the Okanagan, with travellers having more choices now.”

Ballantyne said Kelowna is not typically a hot spot for international travellers, but the city did see an uptick of U.S. travellers - especially in September. They would have flown into the country.

“We are ready for them. We can offer all these experiences right into December in a safe and responsible way," Ballantyne said. “But it’s something we’re not used to doing, so we’re excited for the opportunity for maybe more U.S. visitors.”

COVID-19 travel restrictions have made it especially hard for the local tourism sector, but with the recent easing of those restrictions, the industry is on it’s way back.

“From restaurants, to tour buses, transportation, our hotels, even our attractions down here at the waterfront, are able to hopefully generate a bit of that last minute spending as we ease into fall and winter," Ballantyne said.

With the border now open to non-essential travel, Tourism Kelowna has plans to greatly raise awareness of the city and area as a travel destination, and not just for visitors from the U.S..

“Now, knowing that travelers are going to have more options with the border crossings, we’ve done what’s probably our largest ever advertising investment in tourism marketing into the B.C. mainland area as well as Western Canada,” Ballantyne said.

“We’re trying to encourage everyone we can reach to choose the Kelowna area as a travel destination - even in the fall and winter.”

What you need to cross the border

Non-U.S. citizens are only required to present proof they are fully vaccinated in order to drive across the border. Mixed vaccination doses are allowed.

However, while a COVID-19 test is not needed to enter the U.S., you still need to provide a PCR test to get back into Canada, although that regulation could change.

On Friday, Canada's Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam said the rule needs to be reexamined.

At a cost of $150 to $300 per test, that can be a pricey proposition, particularly for families and there has been criticism the measure doesn't address public safety.

Currently, travellers going from Canada to the U.S. on short three-day trips can get tested in Canada and then show that negative test on returning home.

-- With files from The Canadian Press.