Kelowna designated as Canada’s First UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy

Kelowna has been designated a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. Kelowna is Canada’s first city to receive this designation in the creative field of gastronomy, joining other cities in North America such as San Antonio (Texas, USA) and Mérida (Mexico).

Gastronomy is important to Kelowna’s economy, attracting over 2 million visitors annually and generating $1.17 billion in tourism revenue. Kelowna is home to more than 500 restaurants, contributing $394 million annually. Local agriculture occupies over half of Kelowna’s land, which adds $3.6 billion to the economy, and supports nearly 5,000 jobs.

Kelowna’s application for the UNESCO designation earlier this year was a collaborative effort supported by the City of Kelowna, Westbank First Nation, Tourism Kelowna, and Okanagan College, with input from a wide range of industry professionals and community members, including growers, producers, chefs, business owners, not-for-profit organizations, and technology companies.