Aerospace

Nanaimo Airport and Kelowna International Airport Showcase Regional Tourism

Celebrating a landmark year of growth and community impact

November 28, 2024 – Nanaimo Airport and Kelowna International Airport are proud to announce that their ongoing partnership to promote regional tourism and British Columbia’s world class destinations has recently been recognized internationally through the Airport Council International (ACI) Excellence in Airport Marketing Communications & Customer Experience Award for Best in Airport Partnerships. This prestigious award recognizes the exceptional value of partnerships between airports in undertaking marketing, public relations, and customer experience initiatives.

The collaboration between Nanaimo Airport and Kelowna International Airport, along with our airline partner Pacific Coastal Airlines, has been instrumental in highlighting regional travel. By working together, both airports have promoted the benefits of travelling within the province to explore all that British Columbia has to offer.

Picture sourced from Castanet


“Regional tourism is essential for the economic growth and cultural vibrancy of our communities. Our collaboration with Nanaimo Airport, Pacific Coastal Airlines, Tourism Kelowna, Tourism Cowichan and Wine Growers Association of BC highlights the importance of partnerships in promoting regional travel. The regional connectivity provided by Pacific Coastal Airlines makes it easier and more convenient for residents and visitors to explore our beautiful province. Thank you to all the partners who collaborated towards showcasing our community.” Says Kelowna International Airport CEO Sam Samaddar.

“We are dedicated to serve as a gateway to the incredible attractions and hidden gems our region has to offer”, says Nanaimo Airport President & CEO, Dave Devana. “As we continue to expand our routes and enhance passenger experience, we’re committed to working with our industry partners to boost regional tourism. I would like to thank our partners for working together on this “Perfect Pairing” campaign and being recognized for the ACI Best in Airport Partnerships Award.”


A special thank you goes to Pacific Coastal Airlines for providing our residents with the opportunity to travel within the province, making it easier and more convenient for residents. Pacific Coastal has been vital in making regional travel more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.


We would also like to extend our gratitude to our tourism partners Tourism Kelowna, Tourism Cowichan, and the Wine Growers Association of B.C. who have supported this campaign. Their collaboration has been critical in showcasing the unique attractions and experiences available in our region, further encouraging residents and visitors to explore and appreciate the beauty of British Columbia.

Picture credits: Kelowna International Airport

“Working with airport partners is an important aspect of the tourism industry as we develop and introduce new routes and services, which link visitors to the city,” says Tourism Kelowna’s CEO & President, Lisanne Ballantyne. “We are pleased to see this award received by our partners at Kelowna International Airport and look forward to the exciting changes ahead with the airport expansion and increased routes and services.”


“Tourism Cowichan was excited to partner on this new collaborative initiative to drive visitation between the Kelowna and Cowichan regions, highlighting the expanding services of Nanaimo Airport, Kelowna.


International Airport, and Pacific Coastal Airlines. By working together, we are able to enhance connectivity between our destinations and expand opportunities for storytelling to attract new visitors and support economic growth for local businesses.” Says Kenzie Knight, Tourism Development Specialist, Tourism Cowichan.

The article was sourced from Nanaimo Airport.