Tourism Kelowna is an organization that recognizes performance and develops leadership. Over the past five years, Chris Lewis has continually exceeded performance expectations while demonstrating exemplary leadership with the Visitor Experience team and throughout the organization. This was demonstrated most recently with our successful capital project construction and seamless move into the new Kelowna Visitor Centre.  

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As such, Tourism Kelowna is pleased to announce that Chris has been promoted to the position of Director of Visitor Experience. As a member of the management team, Chris will be accountable for strategic and operational deliverables for the Visitor Experience team and the Visitor Centres, in addition to providing strategic input and support for our larger organizational goals. 

Chris began his career in the tourism industry at the Lumby Visitor Centre, where he worked from 2006 to 2009. After graduating from the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan Campus with a Bachelor of Arts in 2013, Chris joined the Tourism Kelowna team. As the Visitor Experience Manager, Chris spearheaded the creation of a mobile visitor services team, increased the organization’s number of volunteers by 300 per cent, and generated opportunities for local tourism operators to connect, collaborate, and learn.

Chris’ dedication to the tourism industry was recognized by Destinations International when he was the only Canadian named to their 30 under 30 program in 2016. In addition to his work with Tourism Kelowna, Chris is heavily involved in the local community and has volunteered his time for a variety of causes including the Canadian Cancer Society’s Daffodil Dash and Relay for Life. Chris has also been volunteering with Lake Country Community Policing since 2015; he has been President since April 2018.

Please join us in wishing Chris continued success as his contributions to Tourism Kelowna take on a wider scope and even greater influence in planning and shaping the Central Okanagan tourism industry.