@kamloopsairport.com
KAMLOOPS – Stakeholders from across the B.C. Interior gathered in Kamloops to survey the future of Kamloops Airport and its role in regional growth.
Vantage Airport Group, which manages Kamloops Airport, and YKA Link hosted the event, which
Kamloops Airport explored opportunities to expand air capacity, strengthen destination alignment, and attract both passengers and airlines. Participants emphasized that collaboration is essential to supporting sustainable growth, not only for air access but for the wider regional economy and tourism industry.
“This kind of alignment with Destination BC’s Invest in Iconics strategy, a collective goal to bring more visitors to more places across all seasons while delivering unique and remarkable experiences under unified destination brands, is exactly the kind of work that moves the needle,” says Alison McKay, Vice President, Destination Management at Destination BC. “YKA LINK’s collaborative approach demonstrates how partners can come together to advance provincial goals while creating local opportunity.”
Ellen Walker-Matthews, CEO of the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, states “This is an incredibly unique undertaking that brings together local, regional, and provincial voices in a way we don’t often see. The YKA LINK initiative is a model for how collaboration can drive real momentum for air access, tourism, and community development.”
The roundtable underscored YKA’s strategic importance as a key gateway for both the Rainforest to Rockies and Nature’s Heartland destination brands, two of six Invest in Iconics areas launched by Destination BC to enhance global awareness and drive sustainable visitation.
Through YKA LINK, stakeholders are advancing shared priorities across the North Thompson Nicola Valley, Cariboo Chilcotin, Sun Peaks, Shuswap, and the Gold Rush Trail, positioning the region as one of British Columbia’s most experience-rich and connected travel corridors.
“YKA is a vital gateway for the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, connecting our most rural and remote communities to broader markets,” adds Amy Thacker, CEO of the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association. “Strengthening air access through Kamloops Airport ensures better connectivity, supports regional alignment, and creates new opportunities to welcome visitors to the unique experiences across B.C.’s interior.”
YKA LINK (Leveraging Investment, Networking & Knowledge) is a collaborative initiative designed to attract expanded air services and strengthen regional tourism by positioning Kamloops Airport as the premier access point to the North Thompson Nicola Valley, Shuswap, Interlakes, Gold Rush Trail, and beyond.
Backed by Kamloops Airport (Vantage Airport Group), Tourism Kamloops, the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), Tourism Sun Peaks, the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association (CCCTA), Destination BC, and regional partners, YKA LINK fosters alignment, shared messaging, and investment to strengthen the region’s visitor economy.
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) is a not-for-profit society that represents a geographic area nestled in the Southern Interior of British Columbia.
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