Jacqui Dowling moved to Canada—Toronto specifically—in 2011 from her home in County Kerry, Ireland. The following year, she headed west to Kelowna when a new employment opportunity presented itself.

From there, she worked with Andrew Peller Limited for seven years, after which time she joined Tourism Kelowna's team in late 2023, taking on the newly created Membership & Industry Development role within the organization.  

"There are so many rewarding aspects to my role," says Jacqui. "Meeting new people, being more involved in the community, getting to know and learn about companies and attractions in the region that I may not have known about or visited, working with an amazing team. The list could go on!"

In her role, Jacqui supports Tourism Kelowna members and handles sales of the organization's advertising and marketing programs. Tourism Kelowna members and industry partners in and around Kelowna can connect with Jacqui to discuss these programs, join as members or advertisers, or learn how Tourism Kelowna can benefit their business.

Jacqui biking in the Okanagan

In her spare time, Jacqui likes exploring the area's many nature trails, especially if waterfalls are involved. She is also a self-proclaimed foodie, so you will often find her out and about dining at local restaurants.

 "Every aspect of the tourism industry is so different and diverse," notes Jacqui. "The industry isn't pigeonholed into one specific thing, especially here in the Okanagan—it encompasses so much, from camping to hotels, wineries to orchards, from lake activities to hiking, from animals to flora and fauna. It’s never boring and always exciting."  

Read on to learn more about Jacqui!


WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE TRAVEL MEMORY?
  • It's hard to narrow it down to one. It's a tie between travelling to the Gold Coast in Australia for a month, where I scuba-dived on the Great Barrier Reef and took a two-day sailing boat trip to Whitsunday Island, and travelling from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth in South Africa, where I got to experience the beautiful wineries and amazing scenery in this country—I even got to take a ride on an ostrich! 
What are your top recommendations for things to do/see/explore in and around Kelowna?
What's the best thing you've ever eaten in and around Kelowna?
What's your idea of a perfect day in the Central Okanagan?
  • Breakfast at one of the many amazing restaurants in the city, followed by a bike ride around the entire city, including the waterfront. Then, eat lunch somewhere overlooking Okanagan Lake, spend the afternoon wine tasting or visiting the breweries in Kelowna's North End (preferably on bikes or scooters), and/or spend the evening with friends in someone’s yard enjoying the beautiful Okanagan weather.
WHAT’S A FUN FACT ABOUT YOURSELF THAT PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW?
  • Here are a few: I speak fluent Irish (Gaelic). I love being outside at night watching the stars, but I don’t like the dark!! My family owns over 300 greyhounds and I grew up around them my whole life.