Tourism operators in Okanagan express disappointment as the season fails to meet expectations.
In the heart of summer, downtown Kelowna is bustling with visitors, but local businesses are finding the season disappointing. The Okanagan, known for its picturesque landscapes and vibrant tourism industry, has seen a change this year.
Andre Plyusnin, owner of SunWave Boat Rentals, had high hopes for a booming season. However, on a beautiful day, nine out of ten rental boats in his fleet were idle in the parking lot of his facility. Similarly, André Thomas, owner of the Memphis Blues Barbeque House, finds the summer of 2022 underwhelming.
The start of summer had high expectations, with a strained relationship between Canada and the United States and more Canadians choosing to vacation at home. The Okanagan still attracts plenty of tourists, but the economy has them spending less. Ellen Walker-Matthews, CEO of the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, confirms this trend, stating that tourists are spending less this year.
Downtown Kelowna is currently filled with visitors from far and wide during August, but dining establishments are less crowded. On Monday, downtown restaurant patios were only partially filled during the lunch hour. This contrasts with the beaches and highways, which remain busy.
One potential factor affecting the tourism industry could be short-term rental restrictions. Ellen Walker-Matthews suggests that there needs to be more conversation about short-term rentals and their impact on the industry.
As the peak tourism months fall flat more than half way through the season, those who rely on tourism dollars are especially disappointed. However, they are hoping for a boost from the 2022 Canadian Country Music awards in Kelowna in September. André Thomas expresses hope that the event will help his business, while Andre Plyusnin remains optimistic, looking forward to a potential surge in business during the awards.
The economic situation and short-term rental restrictions are potential factors affecting the tourism industry. However, without specific sources explaining the 2022 season underperformance, it is challenging to pinpoint the exact reasons. The lack of updated or engaging local activities, competition from surrounding areas, event timing and seasonal factors, and pandemic-related impacts could all play a role. For definitive reasons, local government or tourism authority reports from 2022 would be needed.
- Despite the continuing influx of tourists in downtown Kelowna, the local economy appears to be struggling due to reduced spending by visitors, as confirmed by Ellen Walker-Matthews, CEO of the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association.
- The economic challenges faced by home-and-garden and travel businesses like SunWave Boat Rentals and Memphis Blues Barbeque House might also be influenced by the lack of updated or engaging local activities, competition from surrounding areas, event timing and seasonal factors, and pandemic-related impacts, as suggested by the current situation.
