Tourism

Industry Snapshot

The tourism industry in Kamloops is growing and playing an increasingly important role in the local economy.  With 9% percent of the population employed in the hospitality industry, tourism remains a cornerstone in our economy.  

Two hundred lakes, within a 40-mile radius of downtown Kamloops, draw visitors from around the world because of their established reputation for water sports and fishing.  Golf, mountain biking and hiking are also popular outdoor activities for tourists. Click here for information. 

The Rocky Mountaineer Vacations stops in Kamloops three times a week during the summer season (April-October) injecting more than $15 million into the local economy.  Kamloops is also a stopover point for bus tour companies en route to both the Lower Mainland and the Rocky Mountains.  To accommodate the growing number of people visiting Kamloops, several major hotel chains have moved to Kamloops over the last five years. 

Sun Peaks Resort is a four season destination resort located in the interior of British Columbia near Kamloops.  Sun Peaks is British Columbia’s second largest ski area with three mountains surrounding an intimate ski-in, ski-out village.  Sun Peaks offers a diverse range of leisure activities including 18 holes of golf as well as numerous events and festivals.   

Known as the Tournament Capital of Canada, Kamloops is hosting upcoming major sporting events that include the CIS Men's Volleyball Nationals in March 2010, World Masters Indoor Athletics Championships March 2010, Canadian Gymnastics Championships May 2010 and the Western Canada Summer Games in August 2011. 

Sedric's Adventure Resort and Theme Park is a projected new development that will help increase tourism in Kamloops.  Once completed, the attraction will include a seven-hectare environmentally friendly water park, swim-up saloon, liquid fireworks, 3,000 seat multiplex with a retractable roof and NHL-sized ice rink, 800-1,000 person convention centre, high-end hotel with 300 rooms and another 100 suites for Thompson Rivers University students, 130 room value-added hotel and family restaurant, 2 drive-thru fast food restaurants and commercial office/retail building.  The theme park, scheduled to be completed for spring 2010, is projecting an average of 8,000 visitors daily during the warm weather months.

Conference Facilities

Meetings, conferences, and conventions are sure to be a success in Kamloops and the Thompson-Nicola, all year round.  Superb facilities, unique venues and easy transportation links make us a natural location for local, national and international gatherings.

Competitive Advantages

Kamloops is located a relatively short distance from other major centres in BC and is easily accessible with four major highways and a regional airport.  Many new projects are underway or have been recently completed which will help boost the already increasing tourism sector in Kamloops.  

We offer a host of activities to make your business retreat functional and memorable.  Combine business with a round of golf on one of our 13 golf courses, catch the famous Kamloops Rainbow Trout, in one of over 100 fishing lakes, or ski at the award winning Sun Peak's Resort.  Strengthen team building skills with the excitement of whitewater rafting, round up 100 head of cattle, or mountain bike any of the area's challenging trails. 

Download our 2007 Meeting Planner's Guide and we'll show you why the Kamloops Region is the perfect location for your next meeting or convention. 

Kamloops Airport recently completed an $20 million expansion project which increased the terminal size by 50% as well as adding many other features and services for travellers.  The expansion has helped attract new airlines, such as WestJet now offering a Vancouver to Kamloops non-stop return flight beginning in November 2009.  With these new features, the airport will be able to handle the passenger traffic that has been increasing every year.

Testimonials

"Since relocating to Kamloops in 2003 we have grown and sold a retail business, purchased commercial property and are now in the process of establishing a tourism business.  Kamloops has proven to be the perfect community for investment and to play!"

Dianne Lawson, Thompson Valley Tours & Rentals

Resource Organizations

Tourism Kamloops
Meetings and Conventions in Kamloops
Kamloops Visitor Centre