With the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics just two months away, Osoyoos is wasting no time launching its annual campaign to market itself as a first-class, four-season resort and tourism destination.

Destination Osoyoos, the area’s tourism agency, launched its 2010 Official Osoyoos Visitors Guide today at a public ceremony attended by dignitaries and members of the community. It was the earliest launch ever for the promotional booklet, and one of the earliest launches of any 2010 visitors guide in British Columbia.
Destination Osoyoos Board Chair Derek Noske says, “B.C. will be in the spotlight in 2010 and we want to make the most of it, letting people know about the tremendous attractions in our unique desert area and the wonderful experiences visitors have when they spend a few days here. We want everyone to know that Osoyoos is Canada’s Warmest Welcome – all year round.”

Jo Knight, Destination Osoyoos Director of Tourism, adds, “Being strategically located less than five hours’ drive from Vancouver, and on the route between Calgary and the west coast, our resort community is a natural stop for people going to or coming from the Olympics. And at that time – in mid-February – visitors to Osoyoos can ski, golf and visit wineries all on the same day. Where else can you do that?”

Knight says the 2010 Official Osoyoos Visitors Guide is a key tourism marketing tool for the community. While Destination Osoyoos conducts a range of other marketing campaigns – including promotions for skiing, golfing, wine-touring, and conventions – Knight says the Visitors Guide pulls all the information about Osoyoos together in one package, and it is available both in printed form and online, on the Destination Osoyoos website.

“Living in a fragile desert ecosystem, we always work hard to be responsible stewards of our environment,” Knight says. “So, we have printed just 75,000 copies of the Visitors Guide this year – and each year more and more people are going to our website to look at all the features of the interactive online edition.”

The 2010 Visitors Guide is a glossy full-colour booklet that includes features on Osoyoos’ history, desert ecosystem, golf courses, spas, wineries, tours, shopping, agri-tourism, First Nations culture, and accommodations. Knight says this year’s Guide includes additional content about local hiking, food-and-wine pairings, community events, area fishing, and what to see in the sparkling clear Osoyoos night sky.

“Besides all of its great natural features, Osoyoos is known for its friendly people – and again this year we are featuring ‘The Faces of Osoyoos’ in our Visitors Guide,” Knight says. Twelve people from the community are pictured on the cover and many more are featured throughout the book, displaying items that show various local features including wine, golf, culinary delights, fruit, flowers, water sports, skiing, and First Nations culture.

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Osoyoos dignitaries and members of the community launch the 2010 Official Osoyoos Visitors Guide at a ceremony at the BC Visitors Centre @ Osoyoos on Dec. 11. Destination Osoyoos photo

For Information Contact:

Derek Noske, Chair

Destination Osoyoos

259-495-5558

dgn@telus.net

 

Jo Knight, Director of Tourism
Destination Osoyoos
250-495-3366
jknight@destinationosoyoos.com