Tourism Kelowna is excited to share that the 6th annual Love for Kelowna Day will return on Saturday, September 27, aligning with World Tourism Day to shine a spotlight on our community and the diverse tourism experiences that our city has to offer.
Love for Kelowna Day was first launched to lift the community up during challenging times, and it has since grown into an annual tradition that celebrates community, local tourism businesses, and everything that makes our region so special. The sentiment aligns well with the 2025 World Tourism Day theme of Tourism and Sustainable Transformation, highlighting tourism’s transformative potential as an agent of positive change.
“A strong visitor economy stems from a strong local foundation,” says Lisanne Ballantyne, President & CEO of Tourism Kelowna. “While visitors help spark growth, it is the local residents who keep the economy moving year-round, showcasing the city to visiting friends and family, attending major events, and returning again and again to neighbourhood favourites. Love for Kelowna Day is a celebration of all that makes our city such an amazing place to live, work, and play.”
There are countless ways for residents and visitors to take part in Love for Kelowna Day. Whether it’s revisiting a favourite local shop or restaurant, supporting a business you’ve walked past but have yet to pop in, checking off a fall bucket-list experience like apple picking or cycling Myra Canyon, or perhaps trying parasailing or canyoning for the first time, there’s something for everyone. More than a dozen local businesses are also offering special packages and promotions, many of which are redeemable between September 20 and 27.
The Kelowna Visitor Centre, located at 238 Queensway Avenue, will also be a hub of activity to celebrate Love for Kelowna Day, with tourism representatives from Peachland, West Kelowna, and Lake Country onsite to encourage exploration of new corners of the region. Guests can also enjoy 20% off Love for Kelowna apparel and enter to win a gift basket valued at $140. For a chance to win an amazing prize pack worth more than $800, people are encouraged to share their Love for Kelowna online, highlighting their favourite local sights, sips, eats, and experiences.
For full details about Love for Kelowna Day activations, including local business promotions, contesting, and more, visit TourismKelowna.com and follow Tourism Kelowna on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok.
About World Tourism Day
World Tourism Day, celebrated annually on September 27 since 1980, is designated by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to create "awareness of tourism’s social, cultural, political, and economic value and the contribution that the sector can make towards reaching the Sustainable Development Goals." This year's theme, "Tourism and Sustainable Transformation," highlights tourism’s transformative potential as an agent of positive change.
About Tourism Kelowna
Located on the traditional, unceded territory of the syilx Okanagan People, Tourism Kelowna is the Destination Marketing & Management Organization (DMO) for Kelowna and the Central Okanagan – one of Canada’s fastest-growing metropolitan regions. Kelowna is a city shaped by collaboration, creativity, and a deep connection to the land. Known for its natural beauty and entrepreneurial spirit, the region brings together cultural vibrancy, four-season outdoor adventure, and a thriving food, wine, and craft beverage scene - offering rich, immersive experiences that invite visitors to slow down, connect, and savour the essence of the Okanagan. We champion sustainability, diversity, and thoughtful growth, investing in a resilient tourism industry that contributes$ 2.4 billion in economic impact to support local business and enrich the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
Media Contact:
Lindsay Kelm, Travel Media & Communications
Tourism Kelowna
250-861-1515 ext. 209
lindsay.kelm@tourismkelowna.com