August is a time of year when downtown Kelowna is filled with visitors from far and wide.
But it appears the peak tourism months are falling flat more than half way through the season.
“Honestly, it’s been a very disappointing summer,” said André Thomas, owner of the Memphis Blues Barbeque House.
On Monday, downtown restaurant patios were only partially filled during the lunch hour. “On any given day you are looking down Bernard at 1 o’clock [in the] afternoon and you know everyone has two, three tables,” Thomas told Global News. “There are no line ups, it’s not packed, the sidewalks aren’t full.”
For those who rely on tourism dollars, it’s especially disappointing given all indications pointed to strong season following a lacklustre one last year.
With a strained relationship betwe