Thompson Okanagan gets love in international travel stories

Paul Tolme touted the majestic cross country ski trails.

Sean Thomas fell in love with Okanagan Lake.

Stephanie Wallcraft touted road tripping.

Heidi Brandes talked about magical winter.

And Jayme Moye took to alpine hiking and biking trails.

They are just some of the travel writers who landed in the Thompson Okanagan in 2024 to do travel stories about our lakes-and-forests-and-mountains-and-wineries-and-cities four-seasons playground.

With 2024 now over, the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association has issued a summary of all the writers for traditional media that visited the region to generate articles.

Traditional media includes newspapers, magazines, guidebooks and TV (and their websites).

It does not include bloggers or influencers on social media.

In most cases, the Thompson Okanagan hosted the writers, helping them set up exciting itineraries so they could produce the best coverage of the region customized for their audience.

And as mentioned above, those audiences range from skiers, cyclists, hikers, wine sippers, scenery junkies and road trippers.

Those of us that live in the Thompson Okanagan already know its the best of both worlds — natural beauty and topography for sightseeing, water sports, skiing, golf, wineries and wine touring, biking, hiking and camping as well as culture and urban fun in its main cities of Kelowna, Kamloops, Penticton and Vernon.

But, seeing this array of coverage proves the Thompson Okanagan is on the world’s radar as a desirable vacation destination.

Here’s the list, with the headlines of the stories:

– This Canadian region is home to vineyards, a desert and prettier lakes than Italy

Sean Thomas’ piece for The Telegraph newspaper and its website in London, England.

– Northern exposure

Seattle-based writer Paul Tolme’s story for Vermont-based Cross Country Skier magazine and its website highlights the trails throughout the Okanagan.

– Read this if you’re going skiing this season

Sun Peaks Resort near Kamloops is lauded as an awesome family destination in this roundup story by Craig Bower for a Fodor’s Traveler guidebook and fodors.com.

Sun Peaks is recognized for not just skiing and snowboarding, but its ski-in, ski-out village and lots of other activities for kids, tweens, teens and parents from skating, dog sledding, horse-drawn sleigh rides, tobogganing, tubing and ice fishing.

– Enjoy the quiet during Okanagan’s shoulder season

Kim Pemberton’s piece for the Victoria Times Colonist highlights fall fun in Kelowna.

– EV Road Trip: Towing with a 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5

Stephanie Wallcraft drives the new electric Hyundai Ioniq 5 across BC towing a Squaredrop trailer with stops in the Thompson Okanagan to charge the vehicle and camp.

Story appeared on the Driving.ca website of Postmedia.

– Make some pour decisions: You should visit British Columbia on your next wine-tasting trip

USA Today writer Zach Witcher not only discovers the Okanagan’s amazing wines, but jaw-dropping views while cycling the Kettle Valley Rail Trail.

– Powder playground: Uncover BC’s winter ski resorts in the Thompson Okanagan

Heidi Brandes story for the travel section of MSN’s website.

– Adventure in the Thompson Okanagan: Untethered and Wanderwise

Heidi Brandes did double duty and also spoke with Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association communications manager Jenna Labossiere for her podcast for travelling women over the age of 45.

– This local reveals her favourite British Columbia road-trip itinerary

Jayme Moye, who moved from Colorado to Nelson, BC, did a 8-day circle tour that started and ended in Vancouver and included the Thompson Okanagan for some alpine hiking and mountain biking.

– Enjoy array of activities, from hiking and houseboating to historic attractions

Mhairri Woodhall’s article for the Vancouver Sun.

– Family travel: Kid-friendly Kamloops scores big in winter

Mhairri Woodhall also does double duty with this piece for the Calgary Herald.

– How this popular Canadian resort cleans up the ‘dirty’ tourist industry

Mia Gordon’s piece on sustainable actions at Sun Peaks Resort for The Weather Network.

– How to sip and dine your way through Canada’s Okanagan Valley

A fall food and wine journey by Joanne Sasvari for Food & Wine magazine and its website.

– (Not) skiing in the BC Interior

Adam Sawyer’s guide for non-ski winter activities in the Thompson Okanagan for Northwest Travel & Life magazine.

– By destination: Canada

A piece for the Qantas’ Traveler Insider segment of the Australian airline’s in-flight magazine positions the Okanagan as a replacement for Tuscany.

– Swarovski spa resort filled with 3.5 million crystals

This story by Jeremy Bourke for the national newspaper The Australian (and its website) spotlights Sparkling Hill Resort near Vernon.

– Ski Patrol

Jo Bates’ piece for Air New Zealand’s in-flight magazine features ski resorts Big White, Silver Star and Sun Peaks.

– Big adventures to be had in BC at Sun Peaks and Big White

Lisette Wolter-McKinley highlights non-ski winter fun at the two resorts for Seattle Refined magazine.

– In British Columbia, a Punjab farming legacy enriches Okanagan wine

Naomi Tomky’s piece for Wine Enthusiast magazine and its website.

– Road trips can be environmentally friendly, and the effort is worth the impact

For the Globe and Mail by Jennifer Foden.