Tourism

Citizen scientists in the Gulf Islands are worried humpback whales are being stressed by too much time with whale watching vessels. (Black Press Media file photo)

Citizen science whale observers worry humpbacks being harassed

One mother whale and her calf followed for upwards of 5 hours a day recently, says volunteer group

 

Guide Eli Schellenberg, in red, leads climbers down from the summit of the Mt. Norquay Via Ferrata near Banff, Alta., Thursday, June 20, 2019. Even as gas prices hit record highs, Canadians are fanning out across the country for fresh travel experiences after two years of bottled-up demand. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Canadians hold their noses at gas prices as they hit the road, skies once again

Some tourism operators expected to double down on domestic markets

 

Remi Vande Weghe and his dog Maya were setting out for Dog Creek on April 30, 2022 from Williams Lake, as part of a tour through western Canada back home to Quebec. (Ruth Lloyd photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

Bicycle tourist rides through B.C. with his dog en route back to Quebec

Remy Vande Weghe is taking his dog Maya for a very long ride

 

Jeffrey Hansen-Carlson, president of Prairie Sky Gondola, is pictured at the location for a proposed urban gondola in Edmonton on Friday, April 29, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Cities in Western Canada consider gondolas as part of transit, tourism plans

Projects a way to move people across waterways or get tourists up mountainsides

Jeffrey Hansen-Carlson, president of Prairie Sky Gondola, is pictured at the location for a proposed urban gondola in Edmonton on Friday, April 29, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
The city of Penticton didn’t renew the lease of the Peach to Diana Stirling and instead gave it to a company out of Alberta. (The Peach photo)

The Peach is no more — Penticton awards lease of the iconic stand to Alberta company

Penticton’s Diana Stirling said she is heartbroken by the news

The city of Penticton didn’t renew the lease of the Peach to Diana Stirling and instead gave it to a company out of Alberta. (The Peach photo)
Vivek Sharma, CEO of Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. (TIABC/YouTube)

CEO under fire for telling women at B.C. conference to ‘clean some rooms and do some dishes’

Vivek Sharma, CEO of Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, made the comments at an industry conference on March 9

Vivek Sharma, CEO of Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. (TIABC/YouTube)
B.C. hopes to attract marquee events and conferences to boost the tourism economy. (File photo)

B.C. announces further supports to revitalize tourism economy

Funding aimed at attracting events, conferences and training workers

B.C. hopes to attract marquee events and conferences to boost the tourism economy. (File photo)
Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance announced the Fraser River Discovery Centre will receive $150,000 from the federal Tourism Relief Fund on March 10, 2022. (Cole Schisler/Black Press)

VIDEO: Federal tourism relief fund begins rolling out to B.C. operators

The Fraser River Discovery Centre was the first B.C. organization to receive funding

Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance announced the Fraser River Discovery Centre will receive $150,000 from the federal Tourism Relief Fund on March 10, 2022. (Cole Schisler/Black Press)
Plans are underway for a project that would see a gondola built near Vernon, climbing 1,600 feet above Kalamalka Lake. (Ridge North America photo)

Okanagan Gondola gets support; suspended by conditions

Developers have more work to do after RDNO committee supports the project

Plans are underway for a project that would see a gondola built near Vernon, climbing 1,600 feet above Kalamalka Lake. (Ridge North America photo)
A design concept of the Okanagan Gondola, proposed by developers Ridge North America who are seeking an amendment to the RDNO’s Official Community Plan. The project will be discussed at an RDNO Electoral Area Advisory Committee meeting Thursday, March 3, 2022. (Ridge North America photo)

Proposed Okanagan Gondola project not supported by regional district staff

Developer needs regional district’s approval to build a gondola climbing 1,600 feet above Kalamalka Lake

A design concept of the Okanagan Gondola, proposed by developers Ridge North America who are seeking an amendment to the RDNO’s Official Community Plan. The project will be discussed at an RDNO Electoral Area Advisory Committee meeting Thursday, March 3, 2022. (Ridge North America photo)
Plans are underway for a project that would see a gondola built near Vernon, climbing 1,600 feet above Kalamalka Lake. (Ridge North America photo)

Gondola proposed in the Okanagan overlooking Kalamalka Lake

The Okanagan Gondola, a project by developers of Golden Skybridge, is pending approval from the RDNO

Plans are underway for a project that would see a gondola built near Vernon, climbing 1,600 feet above Kalamalka Lake. (Ridge North America photo)
The West Coast Women’s Show is among numerous events held annually at Tradex in Abbotsford. A local residents’ group is planning to submit a bid for the operation of the facility that would include continuing to hold trade and consumer shows. (Abbotsford News file photo)

B.C. tourism, events industry receives $9.3M in government supports

Funds intended to support new tourism workers, restart conferences and business events

The West Coast Women’s Show is among numerous events held annually at Tradex in Abbotsford. A local residents’ group is planning to submit a bid for the operation of the facility that would include continuing to hold trade and consumer shows. (Abbotsford News file photo)
Glamping sites are being established at Historic O’Keefe Ranch, with two of the eight planned sites ready to rent this spring through AirBnB. (O’Keefe Ranch photo)

Vernon glamping sites pitched for spring at ranch

Funds help Historic O’Keefe Ranch build ‘roughing it in the wild west’ experience

Glamping sites are being established at Historic O’Keefe Ranch, with two of the eight planned sites ready to rent this spring through AirBnB. (O’Keefe Ranch photo)
People wear face masks to curb the spread of COVID-19 while visiting the Christmas Market in Vancouver, on Thursday, December 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

FINLAYSON: B.C.’s economy has largely healed, thankfully

Over the last 18 months, overall economic production has rebounded, writes Jock Finlayson

  • Dec 24, 2021
People wear face masks to curb the spread of COVID-19 while visiting the Christmas Market in Vancouver, on Thursday, December 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
(Canadian Press photo)

Travel, tourism sectors see glimmers of hope amid Omicron uncertainty

Many Canadians second-guessing their travel plans as information trickles out about Omicron

(Canadian Press photo)
(THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot)

B.C. ski resorts prepare for holiday cancellations due to highway closures

Big White ski resort said over 70 holiday bookings have already been cancelled

(THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot)
The B.C. government recently announced that it is providing more than $450,000 to Okanagan College's Kelowna campus to deliver two intakes of its hospitality professional program. (Photo: Pexels)

Province funds hospitality training program in the Okanagan and Shuswap

Recruitment will be focused on immigrants

The B.C. government recently announced that it is providing more than $450,000 to Okanagan College's Kelowna campus to deliver two intakes of its hospitality professional program. (Photo: Pexels)
Skiers stands at the top of Big White ski resort in Kelowna, B.C., Friday, Jan. 26, 2007. Canadian ski resorts, including Big White, that rely on Canada’s backlogged visa approval service are facing a labour shortage this season. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot

Canadian ski resorts face labour shortage, government slow to issue working visas

“We’ll start panicking around Nov. 1 if nothing changes because there’s just not enough Canadians…”

Skiers stands at the top of Big White ski resort in Kelowna, B.C., Friday, Jan. 26, 2007. Canadian ski resorts, including Big White, that rely on Canada’s backlogged visa approval service are facing a labour shortage this season. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot
Stephanie Sonsona, a Tourism Management Diploma student in Revelstoke. (contributed)

International student in Revelstoke receives grant to support education

Stephanie Sonsona named recipient of the Revelstoke Accommodation Association’s grant for 2021

Stephanie Sonsona, a Tourism Management Diploma student in Revelstoke. (contributed)
The Tree to Sea loop is a 1,000 km bikepacking route around the north end of Vancouver Island. Photo courtesy Miles Arbor

1,000 km route opens northern Vancouver Island to bikepackers

Bikepacking combines ultralight backpacking and bicycle touring

The Tree to Sea loop is a 1,000 km bikepacking route around the north end of Vancouver Island. Photo courtesy Miles Arbor