Quaintness, Wine Tourism, and Kelowna

[CRCP]

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[John Zeger]

BC Wine Institute director Peggy Athans addressed city council on October 30, 2006 to promote the idea of increasing wine tourism in Kelowna. She was quoted in the Capital News as saying that "wine tourists are looking for quaint, quiet, village-like settings similar to the feel created in California's Napa Valley."
I was wondering if perhaps she had mistakenly come to the wrong city as there isn't much quaintness to be had here anymore. Of course, all the city councillors nodded in agreement with her not mentioning all the highrise buildings that they had approved in the past few years. But this bunch is known for its two-faced approach to a host of subjects.

Does Kelowna resemble Napa Valley? Not anymore it doesn't, thanks to our development-happy city council. Here's an item from an advertisement for a Napa Valley hotel. Does this sound like Kelowna to you?

"Winding roads, amber sunlight, tidy rows of vines stretching to both horizons. The drive into Napa is a transformation, a taking leave of the signposts of civilization. In their place comes color, aroma and all the promise of a culinary life spent devoted to craft. You imagine it has been this way for a thousand years.

Staying in Napa requires accommodations that embrace the earth and heighten its beauty. You wouldn't want to pitch a tent, but nor would this landscape ever countenance a high-rise in steel and glass."


I like the concept of agri-tourism and would like to see more of it myself, but if I were a wine tourist I think I would have a problem with all the highrises going up here and the idea of our city council rapidly turning Kelowna into a big city. As Athans reminded council, "the decisions that you make here do impact the wine tourist." Do you think they will remember what she said the next time a new highrise comes before them for approval? I don't!