Tourism Kelowna says it's welcoming tourists to the Central Okanagan despite a cluster of COVID-19 cases connected to Kelowna.

Tourism-reliant businesses in the Okanagan have been hard hit by the pandemic but things are stating to turn around for many, and in some cases in a big way.

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association has announced that it has been recognized by the World Travel and Tourism Council as a safe travel destination.

Bed and breakfast operators in the Okanagan are facing a very uncertain season amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Accommodations, retailers, restaurants and wineries in the Okanagan are facing financial hardship as the 2020 tourism season looks bleak.

The marketing body may focus more of its advertising budget on the B.C. and Alberta markets.

“We want to boost tourism year-long...and not only in our three big cities which are Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver,” Joly said in Penticton on Thursday.

There is some concern that recent political disputes are discouraging B.C.'s neighbours from heading west.

In the Thompson-Okanagan region, it’s anticipated that there will be 12,200 job openings by 2028.

Although the trail is officially open, there's a gate blocking passage where the trail meets the Eldorado Ranch near the Kelowna airport.