Nanaimo Airport (YCD) and Kelowna International Airport (YLW) were recently awarded the Best in Airport Partnerships Award by Airports Council International - North America at the 2024 Excellence in Airport Marketing, Communications, and Customer Experience Awards. This prestigious award recognizes the exceptional value of partnerships between airports in undertaking marketing, public relations, and customer experience initiatives.
The collaboration between Nanaimo Airport and Kelowna International Airport, along with their airline partner, Pacific Coastal Airlines, has been instrumental in highlighting regional travel. By working together, both airports have promoted the benefits of travelling within the province to explore all British Columbia offers.
“Regional tourism is essential for the economic growth and cultural vibrancy of our communities. Our collaboration with Nanaimo Airport, Pacific Coastal Airlines, Tourism Kelowna, Tourism Cowichan, and Wine Growers Association of BC [for The Perfect Pairing campaign] highlights the importance of partnerships in promoting regional travel," says Kelowna International Airport CEO, Sam Samaddar. "The regional connectivity provided by Pacific Coastal Airlines makes it easier and more convenient for residents and visitors to explore our beautiful province. Thank you to all the partners who collaborated to showcase our community.”
“We are dedicated to serving as a gateway to the incredible attractions and hidden gems our region has to offer,” says Nanaimo Airport President & CEO Dave Devana. “As we continue to expand our routes and enhance passenger experience, we’re committed to working with our industry partners to boost regional tourism. I would like to thank our partners for working together on this “Perfect Pairing” campaign and being recognized for the ACI Best in Airport Partnerships Award.”
The Perfect Pairing campaign allowed BC residents to win one of two trips: exploring Kelowna or discovering Nanaimo. Travel for the winning residents was provided by Pacific Coastal Airlines, whose team and services have been vital in making regional travel more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
“Working with airport partners is an important aspect of the tourism industry as we develop and introduce new routes and services, which link visitors to the city,” says Tourism Kelowna’s President & CEO, Lisanne Ballantyne. “We are pleased to see this award received by our partners at Kelowna International Airport and look forward to the exciting changes ahead with the airport expansion and increased routes and services.”
“Tourism Cowichan was excited to partner on this new collaborative initiative to drive visitation between the Kelowna and Cowichan regions, highlighting the expanding services of Nanaimo Airport, Kelowna International Airport, and Pacific Coastal Airlines," adds Tourism Cowichan Tourism Development Specialist, Kenzie Knight. "By working together, we are able to enhance connectivity between our destinations and expand opportunities for storytelling to attract new visitors and support economic growth for local businesses.”
Click here to access the press release from Nanaimo Airport.
