Tourism Kelowna's Community Specialists are the face of our organization at the Kelowna Visitor Centre and at our various satellite and mobile locations, welcoming visitors to our city and ensuring that both travellers and locals experience the best of Kelowna's four-season playground. Throughout the summer, we'll be introducing you to our exceptional Community Specialists—first up are Ainsley Wood and Denae Weighill.


Ainsley Wood

Ainsley Wood

Earlier this year, Tourism Kelowna hosted a workshop to gain input and feedback from residents about tourism in the community and Kelowna's brand. Ainsley attended the workshop to offer a voice for the youth in Kelowna and after meeting some Tourism Kelowna team members, became interested in playing a bigger role within the tourism community. It was perfect timing since Tourism Kelowna was expanding its Community & Visitor Engagement team—Ainsley joined as a Community Specialist in April 2022. Born and raised in Kelowna, Ainsley is thrilled to be able to share her wealth of knowledge.

"Meeting a wide variety of visitors from so many different places is such an exciting part of the job," says Ainsley. "I always love sharing all the beauty and excitement Kelowna has to offer with visitors from around the world." 

Ainsley Wood Photos

Read on to learn more about Ainsley and for some of her Kelowna recommendations!

WHAT’S SOMETHING THAT HAS SURPRISED YOU ABOUT WORKING IN TOURISM?

The number of international visitors who travel such great distances to see our beautiful city.

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 3 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THINGS TO DO/SEE/EAT WHILE EXPLORING KELOWNA AND ITS SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES?

Kelowna and the entire Okanagan have so many things to offer—my top three must-see spots are:

  1. Big White in both the summer and winter...its village centre has many different amenities, including food and drink, to explore, and of course, there is a wide variety of activities including skiing, tubing, skating, mountain biking, hiking, and so much more!
  2. Whether you explore it by boating, swimming, or hanging out on the beach, enjoying Okanagan Lake is a must when visiting.
  3. I always recommend the Kelowna Farmers' & Crafters' Market because it is something that both locals and visitors alike can enjoy with its wide variety of activities, fresh produce, and local vendors and artisans. 
What's your idea of a perfect day in the Central Okanagan?

I absolutely love summer in Kelowna so my perfect day would definitely be enjoying a warm summer day in downtown Kelowna with friends and family. I would finish off the day with a patio dinner on Bernard Avenue.

What's the best thing you've ever eaten in Kelowna?

One of the absolute favourite things I have ever eaten in Kelowna is an apple and caramel dessert from Karat, a local chocolate and pastry shop. It was beautiful and delicious.  

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE TRAVEL MEMORY?

My family and I have so many great travel memories because we love to travel, my favourite memories being in Europe trying all the amazing food they had to offer.

WHAT’S ONE FUN FACT ABOUT YOURSELF THAT PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW?

A fun fact about me is that I’m bilingual in both French and English! It is especially rewarding to use my French as a second language to help French-speaking visitors.


Denae Weighill

Denae Weighill

Denae was also born and raised in Kelowna—she has been proudly bragging about her hometown to visitors and locals at the Kelowna Visitor Centre and with the mobile team since joining Tourism Kelowna's Community & Visitor Engagement team in May 2022. Denae says that helping make someone's day better is one of the best parts of her job.

"I have had people come back in after chatting with me to tell me that the activity I recommended was a great experience," she adds.

 

Denae - Photos

Read on to learn more about Denae and for some of her Kelowna recommendations!

WHAT’S SOMETHING THAT HAS SURPRISED YOU ABOUT WORKING IN TOURISM?

The biggest surprise is how far people come to see our little valley. We have people arriving from all across Canada, but a surprising number of international visitors as well. Growing up here and experiencing the natural beauty of the Okanagan every day I guess I have taken it all for granted!

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 3 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THINGS TO DO/SEE/EAT WHILE EXPLORING KELOWNA AND ITS SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES?
  1. Go to Hooligans Ales & Eats and get one of their wacky milkshake creations.
  2. Hike to the top of Spion Kop and take a look at the amazing view of three lakes from one viewpoint.
  3. Get a flight of beer, cider, or kombucha at one of the many stops in the north-end Brewery District on the edge of downtown Kelowna. Maybe catch some live music at an open mic night while you’re at it!
What's your idea of a perfect day in the Central Okanagan?

Start off with a coffee from one of many amazing coffee shops—Marmalade Cat Café is always a good choice. Then it would be straight to Lake Country to longboard along the Okanagan Rail Trail and swim in the beautiful teal water of Kalamalka Lake. Dinner would have to be wood-fired pizza at Pane Vino Pizzeria on their patio under the grape vines. I would finish off the day by hiking up to the first lookout at Knox Mountain Park to watch the sunset. If it was a winter day, just replace longboarding with snowboarding at one of the area's ski resorts and I’m good to go.

What's the best thing you've ever eaten in Kelowna?

Literally, anything on Okanagan Street Food’s menu is to die for. For me, the poutine is easily the best I’ve ever had. You need two people to finish one serving of it.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE TRAVEL MEMORY?

I went to visit family in Italy and it was amazing! I drank the best espresso and every day we went to the bakery down the street to grab fresh bread. That’s the kind of lifestyle I can get on board with.

WHAT’S ONE FUN FACT ABOUT YOURSELF THAT PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW?

My family comes from a small town in the Kootenays, and I have spent many summers camping on the shores of the Arrow Lakes and mushroom picking in the forests there.