Kelowna can break out bottles of sparkling wine produced nearby — it was named a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy today, the first in Canada to receive this honour.

“This recognition confirms what those in the Okanagan Valley have known for decades — Kelowna is a world-class centre for agriculture, culinary arts and beverages,” said Mayor Tom Dyas.

Surrounded by vineyards and orchards, gastronomy is already vital to Kelowna’s economy, helping to bring over two million visitors each year to the region and generating $1.17 billion in tourism revenue. The city is home to more than 500 restaurants and farmland occupies over half of Kelowna’s land, supporting nearly 5,000 jobs.

The new designation is expected to give Kelowna even more opportunities for tourism, economic development, cultur

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