Responding to the burden that tourism can bring requires more than tacking on the idea of management to tourism boards’ activities; it requires a paradigm shift in how destinations operate. That shift is under way.

The annual World Travel Awards are a big and important event for the travel industry. The winners are chosen by travellers who visit the resorts, take airline flights, rent cars or take tours.

Along with trophies and bragging rights, every winner knows the publicity from the awards leads to increased business and promotional opportunities. To become a finalist entrants must first win regional competitions.

The Okanagan is one of five habitats across the country that need environmental protection, according to a report from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Not all healing happens through health care. Sometimes what’s needed is more about healing the soul than the body. That’s what happened last year in Grand Forks, a community struggling to overcome the devastation caused by flooding in 2018. “The idea for the murals started out as part of an effort to bring back visitors to our community,” says Donna Thibeault, local resident.

The Crescendo ski chalet has always embraced energy efficiency and ecological responsibility – starting with its geothermal heat system. Every walking surface in the home is heated by the system, including the garage and the snow-melt around the perimeter of the jacuzzi. In fact, the jacuzzi itself is heated by the geothermal ground loop – as is the house’s entire hot water system!

The Okanagan Rail Trail may already have hundreds of thousands of annual users but anyone wanting to a place to sleep has to extend their journey, in most cases, far beyond that trail.

While the trail ends near downtown Kelowna with its many eateries and hotels, that’s not the case for most of its 50 km route.

The Okanagan Valley will soon be home to the largest percentage of organic wines in the world.

The vineyards farmed by the Iconic Wineries of British Columbia team will all be certified organic within the next two years – and this acreage is what will bring the percentage of organic vineyards up significantly in the region.

A cross-border hiking trail linking B.C. and Washington state is proposed by a group of recreation enthusiasts. Members of the Trail of the Okanagans Society hope to see the hiking and cycling trail connecting Osoyoos, B.C., and Oroville, Wash. While trail networks are expanding on both sides of the border, there’s no current connection between the two countries. There isn’t even much awareness on either side of trail developments in the other country.

In the winter of 2018, the McFadden family of Okanagan Lavender & Herb Farm completely rebranded their product lines in an effort to reduce the environmental impact of their packaging; a decision that spearheaded a partnership with Finnish start-up company, Sulapac.

The Okanagan has been known as a winter wonderland for many years. Mild winters bring small amounts of snow to the valley bottom, but huge amounts of champagne powder to the ski hills.

Many of us locals take a trip up to the ski hills for granted. It’s pretty easy to get around on foot, with ski gear and passes readily available. However, for some, it’s not so easy. Those with physical disabilities, cognitive differences or mental disabilities, can have a much more difficult time getting access.