Might 23-30 is Nationwide Tourism Week in Canada, and tourism companies want help now greater than ever – Vernon Information

Photo: Contributed

Today more than ever tourism companies need support.

Tourism plays an important role in the Okanagan’s economy.

However, the industry has suffered a significant slump in the past 15 months due to government-imposed COVID restrictions.

May 23-30 is Canada’s National Tourism Week, and tourism businesses need support now more than ever.

Agritourism is a term that describes the merging of agriculture and tourism and has been widely used since the early 1990s.

As a pioneer of agrotourism, Davison Orchards has been inviting guests to their Vernon farm since 1985 to showcase agriculture in action and educate people about food production in the northern Okanagan.

“A thriving tourism industry is an opportunity to reach a lot of people who would normally never see a farm firsthand,” said Tamra Davison, director of marketing at Davison Orchards. “We are privileged to share our farm with thousands of guests each year to see where and how our food is grown.”

This support has enabled the company to grow steadily over the years, expand the cultivation area for food and create jobs for more than 100 employees.

Davison Orchards not only grows and sells fresh produce, but also values ​​their fruits and vegetables through the many food products they make, such as cold-pressed apple juice, canned goods and baked goods. Making these products also helps keep more families busy year round and boosts the economy in our region.

The Okanagan has long been known for its fruit and more recently for its wine, with nearly 200 wineries in the area.

With more than thousands of hectares of grapes in the region, the wine industry is an important agrotourism and economic engine. Lavender and honey farms, ciders, U-Pick experiences and farm tours add to the foodie experience for tourists and locals alike.

Davison said supporting tourism and agriculture are vital to the health of our economy in Canada, both now and in the future.

You can find more information about the tourism week at Click here.