Thompson Okanagan

The ten-year Destination Development Strategies for this region was formed through an iterative, consultative and collaborative process which started in 2016. This current Destination Development Strategy builds on the previous work done by the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association called Embracing Our Potential that was released in 2012. This region includes three primary planning areas which are the Okanagan Valley, North Thompson and Nicola Valleys, and the Shuswap and North Okanagan. Secondary planning areas in this region include Interlakes, the Highway 1 Corridor, the Highway 3 Corridor, and the Gold Rush Trail. This region is inclusive of Lytton in the west, Osoyoos along the US border in the south, Valemount in the north and Sicamous in the east. The region includes over thirty First Nations.

Tourism into this region of the province is strong in the winter and summer months with Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton and Osoyoos being some of the main tourism centers.  The key activities driving visitation are focused on outdoor recreation and agritourism.  Those include skiing, hiking, water-based sports and wine touring.  Notable Highlights of this region include a variety of BC Parks and Okanagan Lake.