You are here: Media » Media Resources » Press Releases

Press Releases

January 26, 2010

Destination Osoyoos to Provide Area With Tourism Marketing

A new multi-party agreement announced today will have Destination Osoyoos (DO) providing key tourism marketing services for at least the next three years in support of the Osoyoos area’s $70-million-per-year tourism industry.

The agreement has the Town of Osoyoos, the Regional District Okanagan Similkameen, and the NK’MIP Resort Association getting together to jointly contract DO to provide these services from 2010 through 2012, based from its offices in the British Columbia Visitor Centre @ Osoyoos.

The contract, for a total of $150,000 per year, is the result of months of negotiations between the organizations, as well as input from a major community forum held last year to determine the public’s wishes on the future of economic development services in Osoyoos.

Since the late-1990s DO has provided tourism and economic development services for the Town of Osoyoos. The most recent five-year agreement ended on Dec. 31, 2009. The new contract, which eliminates economic development from DO’s services, begins immediately.

Osoyoos Mayor Stu Wells says the Town’s review of DO’s services, along with submissions from citizens and groups at the community forum, led the Town to decide to operate economic development services directly from Town Hall. That begins now, and means the Town also takes over administration of Osoyoos’ revenue of approximately $200,000 per year from the provincial Resort Municipality Fund, which goes towards local tourism-related improvements.

Last fall, during negotiations towards a new tourism marketing agreement, the Town considered contracting Destination Osoyoos without the involvement of other partners, for $120,000 per year – but the new three-partner model was considered to be a preferable arrangement.

In addition to continuing to carry out major tourism marketing for the area, DO will continue to work closely with the Osoyoos tourism industry, through the local Tourism Advisory Committee, to co-ordinate spending of the approximately $200,000 raised each year in town by the two-per-cent Additional Hotel Room Tax (AHRT) – money which is earmarked for tourism promotion. DO also retains its contract with Tourism BC to operate the BC Visitor Centre @ Osoyoos.

All parties to the new agreement say it makes great sense for the Town, the Regional District, and the NK’MIP Resort Association to jointly contract Destination Osoyoos, since all three organizations have been extensively involved in tourism developments in the area for many years. They believe that working more closely with each other and with DO will provide a better, more integrated model for further improvements to tourism.

Osoyoos Mayor Stu Wells says the Town looks forward to a continuation of the strong tourism services that Destination Osoyoos has provided in the past. “We recognize the excellent work that DO has done over the years to position Osoyoos as a highly desirable destination for travellers, with great visitor experiences. With this new, multi-party agreement, these services can now carry forward for our whole area.”

RDOS Area ‘A’ Director Mark Pendergraft says, “‘I am excited about the partnership, It makes a whole lot of sense to me, When everyone is working together on something there are usually wonderful results. It is great to have DO continue on with promoting tourism in the area, and I am particularly pleased with the new governance model that will consist of a board made up of those directly involved in the tourism industry. It does not get much better!”

NK’MIP Resort Association Chair Chris Bower says, “We recognize the importance of partnering with the Town and the Regional District in marketing Osoyoos through DO. We have worked closely with the Town, RDOS and Destination Osoyoos in the past – and this is an excellent next step, giving us the opportunity to help fund DO.”

Destination Osoyoos Board Chair Derek Noske says DO looks forward to continuing its proactive development of improved tourism marketing. “With the economy improving and the world’s attention focused on British Columbia during the Winter Olympics next month, we are excited about the prospects for tourism growth in our area in the coming months. We have energetic plans for marketing, and we look forward to working with the Town, the Regional District, the Band, and everyone in our local tourism industry to develop this important part of our economy.”

Under the new agreement, the Town will provide $72,876 to Destination Osoyoos per year, RDOS will provide $12,000 per year, the NK’MIP Resort Association will provide $15,124 per year, and $50,000 will be provided from the local two-per-cent Additional Hotel Room Tax (AHRT). The agreement paves the way for a new level of collegiality in the management of tourism marketing services in the area, with each of the three funding groups now having non-voting representation on DO’s Board of Directors, and with greater representation on the Board from local tourism-related businesses.

– 30 –