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Outlook Business/Tourism newsletter: Issue 25. This issue 06-13-07. Business
July 1st Fireworks Display - much more - and music too.
This year for the first time, the fireworks that we all enjoy so much will be set to music. Frank Zandvleit, our resident fireworks expert and Ken Repkow of Master Factory Studio, have joined forces to create what will be an absolutely outstanding show. Original music mixed by Ken to coincide with the timing of the fireworks coordinated by Frank, will create an audio-visual show that is guaranteed to take everyone’s breath away. Music will be broadcast over our new tourism radio frequency at 106.5fm on July 1st so that people in homes, in their cars or on the streets can get a ‘sight and sound’ experience that will be a highlight for Osoyoos in 2007. You may not be aware that the Osoyoos fireworks display is one of this country’s best. Because Frank has worked so hard to make it the very best that money can buy, he is able to access brand new fireworks designs that have never been seen before. Donations are always needed as Frank’s fundraising goal this year is $60,000. If you can, drop off some toonies or better yet, some nice crisp bills or cheques to help support this community event. You can donate at the Town office and when you do that, you even get the benefit of a tax receipt! Donation jars will also be set up in businesses throughout town. And to Frank and Ken… thank you for all of your hard work to make this July 1st fireworks the best ever. AHRT Approved
The Additional Hotel Room Tax has been approved by the majority of motel/hotel owners thanks to the outstanding efforts of Ron Stephens of the Safari Beach Resort and Lucky Gill of the Best Western Sunrise Inn. The Council has now approved the bylaw which will allow for the collection of the 2% tax at all motels beginning October 1, 2007. Now the bylaw goes to the provincial government for ratification. A Tourism Advisory Committee, made up of members of the Osoyoos Motel Hotel Association, will oversee the implementation of the marketing plan allowing Osoyoos to be more competitive in our marketplaces and ultimately put more ‘heads in beds’. Approximately $190,000 of annual revenue is expected to be collected but the amount is directly impacted by occupancy rates and room rates. The tax will be in place for 5 years. Look for more information on this exciting initiative over the next few months. Summer Student Positions
We are delighted that Lissa Murseli is back to assist in our Economic Development office as one of our two summer student positions. What a difference a year makes. Lissa spent last summer in cramped temporary quarters on Lakeshore Drive and this year she is set up in an area that has the best views in town. Lissa will be updating the business directory and taking on some other special projects. In September she will return to UBC where she complete her final year studying cellular biology. | Destination Osoyoos Visitor Info Centre Community
Town Clock Unveiling
On Saturday, June 16 at 11am, the final structure will be added to the Pioneer Walkway. A new clock has been built by renowned horologist (that’s a clockmaker), Ray Saunders. Ray also built and maintains the Gastown Steam Clock and many other landmark clocks in the Lower Mainland. Ray offered the clock at cost so that he could also honour his parents Milton and Marion Saunders who lived in Osoyoos from 1970 - 1990. Shirley Rowbotham, the very hard working Pioneer Walkway volunteer, was able to raise over $25,000 to cover the remainder of the necessary funds. Everyone is invited to join Mayor John Slater as he officially unveils this new town landmark on June 16. Visitor Counselor Fam 30 Visitor Counselors, including our own Amanda Wilkinson and Helen Knight, were part of the annual Spring familiarization tour organized by Tourism BC. Each year the fam focuses on a different part of our province and this year the area chosen was the Caribou Chilcotin. Amanda and Helen joined other counselors from throughout the province on this 5 day fast paced trip. The itinerary included stops throughout the vast area including 108 Mile Ranch, The Hills Guest Ranch, Wells, Lillooet and Williams Lake. The highlight for Amanda was the Lillooet First Nations tour which included a visit to an archeological dig in an area that was used for pit houses and a demonstration of drying fish in the traditional way. For Helen, it was the Elkin Creek Guest Ranch, 180 km from Williams Lake. It was literally in the middle of nowhere, but she added that it was a beautiful nowhere plus the meal that awaited the group was outstanding. Helen also thought that the town of Wells had a lot to offer visitors. These fams are a way to learn more about the province, but also to develop a network of contacts in other communities which is very helpful when those tough questions get asked at the Visitor Centre. Visitor Info estimated visitors during May 2007 to Visitor Information Centre: 3,896 to www.destinationosoyoos.com: 9,809 (29,266 hits) e-mail: tourism@osoyoos.ca |
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