Innovation, Collaboration and Wine Tourism in Canada's Okanagan Valley: The British Columbia Beverage Technology Access Centre

ABSTRACT

Wine tourism is an important component of the wine industry in Canada's Okanagan Valley. This chapter discusses the role of the federally funded British Columbia Beverage Technology Access Centre in assisting small to medium enterprises in the development of their wine tourism business specifically and their sustainability in general. The chapter identifies and discusses the benefits and challenges faced by public organizations in collaborating with private sector operators. It also discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the operation of wine tourism in the Valley and how the Centre has responded to this major impact. Finally, the chapter also discusses the interaction between Okanagan College, the Centre's primary sponsor, its faculty and students with the wine industry including the ways in which this interaction has benefitted wine tourism in the region. © Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2023.