Before You Travel
Our hope is that anyone within the the Thompson Okanagan will have an unforgettable experience while traveling or living within the region. In order to ensure the sustainability of this region for generations to come we must contribute in a collective effort to consider each of our interactions with the land, animals, and residents within the areas we are exploring.
The Thompson Okanagan has created a Responsible Visitor Pledge for the region, the 7 Affirmations for 7 Generations Thompson Okanagan Regional Pledge. This was created to list ways in which one can limit their impact and help grow this destination. We invite the visitors and residents of the region to consider the Green Tourism Canada Code of Conduct and sign the 7 Affirmations Pledge as they travel through the Thompson Okanagan or any other destination in British Columbia, Canada and beyond.
Where to stay
Credit: Spirit Ridge, Osoyoos
Choose accommodations who value environmental stewardship, social responsibility and support local Indigenous cultures.
Check out these unique and interesting sustainable places to stay and when it comes to booking sustainable accommodation, look no further than www.hellobc.com/plan-your-trip/accommodations/.
What and Where to Eat
Credit: Destination BC
The Thompson Okanagan celebrates sustainable farming and local fare. Throughout the year you will find a variety of restaurants and events to showcase the bounty of the valley in a variety of ways.
When visiting always try to shop local when you can. In this fruit picking blog, you’ll find the different seasons for various fruits, and the best farms to find them.
How to Explore
It can be tempting to venture off the trail for a viewpoint or a unique photo opportunity, but this can be extremely hard on the local flora and fauna. Stick to the trail and take breaks on hard surfaces like rocks instead of on mosses or forest floor.
Credit: Destination BC
Credit: Destination BC
For more tips on how to reduce your impact on trail systems, check out our tips on how to hike with less impact on the environment.
How and When to Travel
In the summer, many visitors come to the Thompson Okanagan to enjoy the relaxed lakeside lifestyle. As the temperatures cool down, visitors and locals disperse to the get ready for ski season in the winter and admire the changing leaves in the fall.
Plan on visiting popular areas in the off-season. Consider other travel plans and take a guided tour, splurge on an electric vehicle rental or opt for a bike trip to reduce your travel impact.
Public Bike Sharing and Tours
There are also some incredible bike tours along the Kettle Valley Rail Trail. You will cover a lot of distance and can even choose between a traditional bike or an electric bike to make the ride even more comfortable.
Credit: Destination BC
Electric Taxis and Car Rentals
Take a ride in one of our electric taxis and or call Current Taxi to jump start your trip in a Tesla.
For longer trips, you can also rent a Tesla from Power Trips and explore by making the most out of the free charging stations throughout our region. Find out where the most convenient electric vehicle charging stations are and make the most of unique experiences you can have whilst you let your vehicle charge.
To understand your impact, take the first step and calculate your carbon footprint.
Carbon Offset Projects
There are many ways in which we can reduce our travel impact. Ultimately, travelling produces a carbon footprint in many ways. Emissions from a car rental or a flight to the destination are two fairly large culprits. Carbon Offset Programs work to compensate for this carbon footprint in a variety of ways.
Many of these programs are still in their introductory phase, so make sure you do your research to determine if they are a good fit for you.