As a Tourism Kelowna Member, your business becomes part of the vibrant story we share with visitors year-round. With the new year underway, now is the perfect time to review some tips to make the most of your Base Program membership.
Make use of the Partner Portal
Our Partner Portal (formerly the Extranet) provides a streamlined, intuitive platform for showcasing your business, keeping your information up to date, and staying connected to the broader visitor economy. Whether you want to boost visibility, capture more attention, or align with seasonal marketing efforts, this tool is invaluable.
Some of the tips that follow can be accomplished through the Partner Portal, so understanding this tool is key to making the most of your membership. Click here to learn more about accessing and navigating the Partner Portal.
Update Your Online Listing
Tourism Kelowna's website, which received nearly 5 million pageviews in 2025, is a primary resource for visitors planning trips to Kelowna, so it's essential that your listing accurately represents your business, with up-to-date images, descriptions, and information.
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. Find detailed instructions for updating your listing here.
Upload Your Events to our 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 is planning a special event, make sure you submit them through the Partner Portal for maximum awareness. Our team also uses the calendar as a resource to share information with visitors and locals, as opportunities permit.
Detailed information on the submission process is available through our Industry News Centre.
Engage with Tourism Kelowna on Social Media
Tourism Kelowna's consumer social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok) now boast more than 190K combined followers. Increase awareness by connecting with the Tourism Kelowna community through our hashtag #exploreKelowna, and keep our team informed of relevant content by tagging us in your posts and stories.
In 2025, our team launched Members-Only Stories via Instagram's close friends feature. All current members with active accounts have been added to the list, providing another way for our team to keep you updated on important member information.
Attend Member Events
Tourism Kelowna regularly hosts events for its Members and community partners, including information sessions on key topics, industry roundtables, appreciation events, and more. These events are a great opportunity not only to gain industry insights but also to network and meet representatives from other tourism-related businesses. Invitations will be distributed by email, so watch your inbox throughout the year to secure your spot at these events.
Rack Your Brochures at the Kelowna Visitor Centre
If rack cards are still part of your marketing materials, please provide our team at the Kelowna Visitor Centre with the most up-to-date version. Last year, our team welcomed more than 270,000 guests to the visitor centre, including locals and visitors, providing them with the opportunity to browse our brochure racks for fun and interesting things to do in Kelowna.
Take Advantage of Additional Advertising Opportunities
As participants in Tourism Kelowna's Base Program, your business can also join other targeted marketing programs or take advantage of additional advertising opportunities. An updated overview of opportunities for 2026 will be released in the coming weeks, so watch your inbox or check back to our Industry News Centre for more information.
These are just a handful of ways to make the most of your Base Program and engage with the Tourism Kelowna team. If you would like to continue this conversation and learn how your business can leverage the Base Program, or if you would like to join Tourism Kelowna, please reach out to me directly at jacqui@tourismkelowna.com.
About Tourism Kelowna's Base & Enhanced Programs
Businesses within and beyond the Central Okanagan fall into two categories within Tourism Kelowna's Base & Enhanced 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.
