As we settle into the new year, it's the perfect time to review Tourism Kelowna's Base Program benefits to ensure you make the most of your Membership. Read on to learn more about the program's benefits and how to leverage them for your business or organization.
Use the Tourism Kelowna Partner Portal
Our Partner Portal (previously known as the Tourism Kelowna Extranet) is an excellent resource for data, knowledge, and document sharing, member engagement, and much more. It is also the tool you will use to keep your information with Tourism Kelowna up to date. If you are a Member and don't know how to access the Partner Portal, connect with me via email so I can assist you in gaining access.
Update Your Online Listing
Tourism Kelowna's website, which had 5 million pageviews and 1.6 million sessions in 2024, is a primary resource for visitors planning their trips to our destination. Put your best foot forward by making sure the images, descriptions, and information on your web listing are accurate and up-to-date. Your online listing includes up to 10 images, a description of up to 150 words, links to your social media channels, contact information, and a locator on a map. You can update your listing directly through the Partner Portal.
Rack Your Brochures at the Kelowna Visitor Centre
Each year, the Kelowna Visitor Centre welcomes over 200,000 visitors from all over the world, who then browse the brochure racks, looking for fun and interesting things to do in Kelowna. Make sure they can find your business by supplying our team with up-to-date rack cards.
Engage with Tourism Kelowna on Social Media
Tourism Kelowna's consumer social media channels now boast nearly 200,000 followers combined. Connect yourself with the Tourism Kelowna community by using #exploreKelowna and tagging us when you post content. This allows our team to share information about your offerings if and when the opportunity arises.
Upload Your Events to the Website
The Events Calendar is one of the most visited pages on Tourism Kelowna's website. If your business or organization regularly hosts events or plans special events suitable for visitors, submit them to the calendar through the Partner Portal to generate additional awareness. This also keeps the Tourism Kelowna team informed so we can easily share the information when opportunities permit. Detailed information on the submission process is available through our Industry News Centre.
Attend Member & Stakeholder Plug-In Sessions and Events
Tourism Kelowna regularly hosts plug-in sessions and events for its Members and community stakeholders.
- Past plug-in sessions have covered topics such as short-term rentals, sustainable tourism, marketing and communication, tourism research, and the economic impact of tourism, among others. These sessions are an excellent opportunity to gain industry insights, network, and meet representatives from other tourism-related businesses.
- We also host events throughout the year, including monthly "Connect over Coffee" networking events, annual AGM, Stewardship Symposium, and more. These events will be open to Members and/or industry stakeholders.
Join Sector-Specific Marketing Programs or Take Advantage of Additional Advertising Opportunities
Tourism Kelowna's marketing programs are designed for specific sectors, including Meetings & Conferences, Wineries, Local Flavours, and Arts & Culture. By joining one of these programs, your business becomes part of a collective community that aims to enhance your sector's brand and works collectively to market the sector, which benefits all participants.
You can also take advantage of the additional advertising opportunities outlined here.
About Tourism Kelowna's Membership & Advertising Program
Businesses within and beyond the Central Okanagan fall into two categories within Tourism Kelowna's programs:
- Member: All tourism-related businesses located within the Central Okanagan. Accommodation providers must be MRDT or DMF remitters; those that don't may qualify as Advertisers.
- Advertiser: Non-tourism-related businesses located in the Central Okanagan, tourism-related businesses located outside the Central Okanagan, or accommodation providers within the Central Okanagan that do not remit MRDT or DMF.
Through our programs, our Members and Advertisers gain access to marketing channels that help increase exposure and drive traffic to their businesses. Our programs also connect visitors with local businesses during the planning stages of their trip and once they are in the market.
The Base Program includes but is not limited to the following benefits:
- An online listing on the Tourism Kelowna website.
- A listing and locator on the Kelowna map.
- Brochures racked at the Kelowna Visitor Centre.
- Eligibility to advertise on our Online Events Calendar.
- Access to additional paid advertising and marketing programs.
- Invitation to workshops and events.
If you would like to continue this conversation and learn how your business can leverage your membership, or if you would like to join Tourism Kelowna, please get in touch with me directly at jacqui@tourismkelowna.com.