Okanagan Bucket List kicks off

by Adam Proskiw - CASTANET May 3, 2013 / 3:22 pm

A new tourism initiative between four large, Okanagan private sector “leisure brands” and the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) was revealed at Kelowna International Airport Friday morning. “I’m very pleased to announce a new partnership between some of our signature products to promote this region at a higher level,” said Glenn Manziak, CEO for the TOTA. “This is a program that we will put out to the world through a multimedia campaign over the next five years that will raise the level of awareness of those products and services.” Predator Ridge, Big White Ski Resort, Sparkling Hill Resort & Spa and Mission Hill Family Estate Winery have all developed packages that can only be purchased at Okanaganbucketlist.com and are designed to highlight some of what makes visiting the Okanagan unique.  Signs will also be placed at each gate in YLW showcasing the packages. “This is truly a public/private partnership between the City of Kelowna, the Kelowna International Airport, the business community and the corporate community, together with the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association,” said Manziak. “It’s an exciting venture that we know will have tremendous benefit for the region in the long term.” According to Manziac, tourism in the Thompson-Okanagan is a $1.6b industry that employs over 15,000 people. “Great things happen when great brands and great people come together,” said Brad Pelletier, Senior VP for Predator Ridge Resort. “I truly believe that this program has so much merit, not just for the stakeholders, but for the entire region.” Kelowna Airport Director Sam Samaddar is also optimistic about the positive effects the program is expected to produce and the role YLW will play. “Approximately 70% of the traffic we see through YLW is tourism-related,” he said. “Being able to welcome passengers into the region, and expose them to tourism experiences as soon as they get off the aircraft is a tremendous opportunity.  It sends a positive message to the visitor of what the Okanagan has to offer and creates a win-win relationship with our business partners.”