Mayoral candidates focus on tourism in election forum hosted by Tourism Kamloops

Photo: Facebook / Luv'n the Loops

All five Kamloops mayoral candidates attended an election forum focused on city tourism on Monday.

Kamloops’ five mayoral candidates highlighted top tourism priorities and which parts of the city they might showcase for their own guests during an election forum hosted by Tourism Kamloops.

The forum was live-streamed on Tourism Kamloops’ Luv’n the Loops Facebook page at 9 a.m. Monday.

During the forum, moderators also quizzed candidates on some tourism statistics, and asked them a number of rapid-fire questions about their preferences when it comes to local activities.

Moderators noted 1.9 million visitors are welcomed to Kamloops each year, directly spending a total of $303 million in the city. The total economic spin-off from tourism is calculated at half a billion dollars.

Ray Dhaliwal — who is involved with annual events like Canada Day as well as this past weekend’s Tapestry Festival — said the city needs more celebrations to draw visitors, particularly fairs and festivals held at least once or twice a month during the summer.

“We need to build on the success of those events and bring back events like Kami Days,” Dhaliwal said, adding later in the forum that he would commit to meeting quarterly with Tourism Kamloops to discuss seasonal activities.

He said more promotional videos can be used to introduce visitors and potential guests to Kamloops’ history.

“We have a rich history here with our First Nations, mining, ranching and farming. …We need to build on that, work on that, and promote these things,” Dhaliwal said.

Sadie Hunter suggested building an event-based app for visitors coming to Kamloops for various tournaments.

“If we had something that was very easy for them that was based on their schedule, so what’s happening for them, and then it showed them some other things that they could enjoy and explore around them, then I think that would be something that's very strong for us as a community,” Hunter said.

Hunter said Kamloops residents can be their own best brand ambassadors.

"I think if we can show more experiences and make it easier for residents to do that, then that will be a really strong thing we can do together to rebuild back stronger after COVID,” Hunter said.

Arjun Singh said if elected, he would focus on the foundations of community safety and climate change as these factors also impact tourism. He also noted that he would like to see Indigenous colleagues and partners helping to build tourism in a way that honours land and history.

He said he believes in “pick-up-the-phone relationships,” where the mayor should be available to discuss any issues with groups like Tourism Kamloops.

"As city hall, we have to be approachable and open to conversations with our colleagues and partners across the community very much including the tourism industry,” Singh said.

Moderators asked candidates which activities they would plan for an out-of-town guest.

Dieter Dudy said it was a timely question, as he was hosting two guests from Germany for the next three weeks.

“First off, we’re going to take them to a Blazers game, because they love hockey. I'd like to take them out to the Adams River for the salmon run so they can see that and hopefully a bear,” Dudy said, also noting the downtown art gallery, city brew pubs and wineries, and local trails as excellent places to take guests.

“We just have so much to offer to them that I think that three weeks is going to go very quickly just simply because there's probably more for them to see and do than they have time for.”

Dudy said he believes Tourism Kamloops is one the city’s strongest economic development arms and if elected, he would like to see the city meet for strategic planning sessions with Tourism Kamloops.

Reid Hamer-Jackson said he would take his guests mountain biking and river boating.

He said if elected, he would like to see motels that are currently used as shelters for vulnerable people reopened as rooms for tourists. He said he would focus on listening to Tourism Kamloops for their needs.

“I'd be learning from you because you're the experts,” Hamer-Jackson said.

The general local election will be held on Oct. 15.

The Tourism Kamloops forum can be watched in full on the Luv'n the Loops Facebook page. For more information on upcoming forums, click here.