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Outlook Business/Tourism newsletter: Issue 24. This issue 05-07-07. Business
News from BC Visitor Centre @ Osoyoos
We knew it would happen….and it has. The new BC Visitor Centre is drawing people off the highways and into the building. In April 2007, the team welcomed over 2,600 visitors compared to just 1.154 in April 2006. Some of these visitors included a bus filled with 35 Girl Guide leader alumni who stopped into the centre after a conference held in Cranbrook. Jo Knight, Visitor Centre Supervisor, welcomed them, gave them the GG official salute, shared campfire stories and of course the exciting news about the new centre and our wonderful community. A couple from Spokane, raved about how ‘helpful, friendly and welcoming” our staff were and added “Canadians are easy to love!” PS We love them too! Hotel owners, are you involved in the HelloBC reservations program? This program is offered at Visitor Centres throughout the province and allows Visitor Counselors to book accommodations and activities throughout the province….including Osoyoos. The staff can book hotel rooms directly through the computerized system and the extra level of service this offers weary travelers is very much appreciated. To find out more about how your business can get involved, check out the website at www.tourismBC.net.
New Businesses in Town
Our downtown businesses are going through changes right now. New businesses are opening up, some are moving and some are going to enjoy a well deserved retirement. Some of us with a genetic “sweet tooth” are looking forward to a new candy shop “The Kettle Candy Store” which is being set up next to Subway. Popcorn, chocolate and candy….sounds like they are covering all the major food groups to me.
Desert Park back in the News According to the BCLC, Osoyoos is too small for a gambling facility so the Town has been turned down in their efforts to work with the Rocky Mountain Turf Club in order to secure a way to help fund the operation of Desert Park. The Town of Osoyoos and their partners are not giving up and one of the steps they are taking is to get some other municipalities involved. They have created a Powerpoint presentation that was shown at the OMMA conference (Okanagan Mainline Municipal Assn) being held in Merritt May 2 - 4. They want to garner more support from other municipalities and will be going back to the BCLC for reconsideration of the request. If you want to add your voice to this issue, the Town is encouraging you to write a letter of support to the Town, our MLA or send a letter directly to the British Columbia Lottery Corporation, 10760 Shellbridge Way, Richmond, B.C., V6X 3H1 Osoyoos Lake Water Science Forum And since we are talking about involvement, don’t forget to mark your calendars for September 16 - 18, these are the dates for the Osoyoos Lake Water Science Forum being held in Osoyoos and hosted by the Town of Osoyoos and the International Joint Commission. This will be a cross-border forum about water quality and the sustainability of our lake and our Okanagan valley. It promises to be an interesting two days of information presented in an understandable way. A website will be set up as soon as the agenda is finalized. There will be a more info on the forum, and a link from our website at www.destinationosoyoos.com. New Board for Destination Osoyoos Some new faces have joined the Board of Destination Osoyoos during the AGM held at the Osoyoos Golf and Country Club on April 18. Although the faces may be new to the Board, they are familiar to the community. We are delighted to welcome the following: Lucky Gill, Terry Deol, and Bryan Holgate. The new Board is now: Chris Bower - Chair Arnie Polischuk - Past Chair Derek Noske - 1 st Vice Chair Alison Anderson-Gilmour - 2nd Vice Chair Lucky Gill - Treasurer Terry Deol - Director Bryan Holgate - Director Chris Jenson - Director Gordon Kandola - Director Bill Robertson - Director Rob Webster - Director Mark Pendergraft - RDOS Area A Liaison | Destination Osoyoos Visitor Info Centre Community
Media Visits
Osoyoos has been visited by a significant number of journalists in the past two weeks. Allan Casey, a writer based in Saskatoon, spent a day with Mike Sarell, a rattlesnake researcher, out on the wildlands near OK Falls tracking the newly awakening residents. Allan was researching an article on our desert lands for a 2008 issue of Canadian Geographic magazine. He was thrilled to not only learn from a rattlesnake expert, but was also very lucky to see not one but two rare nightsnakes on his early morning adventure. He said that the snakes posed beautifully for the camera. He also spent time in Osoyoos at the Osoyoos Desert Centre where Joanne Muirhead updated him on the importance of the work they are doing as well as the issues surrounding the proposed National Park in the area. Visits continued with a meeting at Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre and finally an overnight stay in Osoyoos. Allan was very pleased with his visit to the area. Writers from the Calgary Sun and Western Living made a brief stop in Osoyoos to catch up on new developments and put some story ideas together for future use. Shelley Wood was in town writing some specific stories for regional publications and we provided her with information on ‘dog friendly’ activities and places. She was also provided with information for a story on area biking trails and visiting wineries. From May 1 to 6, we are helping and hosting many journalists, writers, editors and connoisseurs here to enjoy all the fun of our Okanagan Spring Wine Festival and the incredible community of Osoyoos. Casting Call "Iron Road" a period miniseries for the CBC is currently planning to film in the Kamloops, Kelowna and Naramata areas at the beginning of June. They are looking for extras to work as background in various exterior scenes. They will need the following: 150 Male Chinese extras and 50 Male Caucasian extras (Applicants should be ages 17 & over, and must be legally entitled to work in Canada) Casting Sessions will be held from 11:00am - 1:00pm and from 4:00pm - 8:00pm at the following locations: May 8th Thompson Hotel, 650 Victoria Street - Kamloops May 9th Coast Capri Hotel, 1171 Harvey Avenue - Kelowna May 10th Summerland Waterfront Resort, 13011 Lakeshore Dr. Summerland Resumes can also be emailed to ironroadthemovie@yahoo.ca Visitor Info estimated visitors during April 2007 to Visitor Information Centre: 2,618 to www.destinationosoyoos.com: 7,004 (21,313 hits) e-mail: tourism@osoyoos.ca |
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