The provincial state of emergency has been extended until December 28, 2021, having been instituted in response to severe flooding and mudslides throughout the province in November. The non-essential travel restrictions on highways in affected regions (Highway 3 and 99) also remain in place, while several highways including the Coquihalla remain closed.
To help those in need of alternate transportation, Swoop Airlines flights from Abbotsford International Airport (YXX) to Kelowna International Airport (YLW) will continue to be offered three times a week through until March 2022, with fares starting at $79. EBus also continues to offer service on its routes between Vancouver, Kelowna, and Kamloops.
To further support tourism industry members, Destination BC (DBC) is continuously updating its Winter Travel Guide with messaging guidance, travel infographics, and additional resources. The Tourism Industry Association of BC, BC Hotel Association, BC Regional Tourism Secretariat, Indigenous Tourism BC, Canada West Ski Areas Association, and DBC have also created the Resident Winter Travel and Recreation Toolkit (released December 9, 2021), which contains pertinent information for trip planning in BC this winter that can be shared by tourism-related businesses and operators.
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), DBC, and the Province of BC are asking businesses to complete a short survey so they can determine the direct and indirect impacts that the storms and road closures have had on tourism in the Thompson Okanagan.
Additional emergency information and resources for tourism industry members can be found in our Industry News Centre.
