Made in the Okanagan supports the local creative economy and is a business and community development incubator, which works to implement environmentally sustainable economic solutions that emphasize better prosperity for art, craft and community food producers.
Based in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Made in the Okanagan works to develop business and community strategies that will enhance our region's role nationally and internationally within the fields of quality handmade art and fine craft and locally grown safe foods.
The mission of the Okanagan Institute
is to contribute to
the quality of creative engagement in the Okanagan through publications and events.
Made in the Okanagan is managed in conjunction with the Okanagan Geotourism Initiative which includes collaboration with similar global efforts helped by the National Geographic’s Center for Sustainable Destinations (CSD).
Geotourism is defined as tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place—its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents.
The Okanagan Geotourism Initiative encourages the tourism sector and communities to expand efforts to protect and rehabilitate core natural and cultural assets in the Okanagan Valley and to consider the valley as part of a wider Columbia River Basin, which includes both Canada and the United States.
Guided by the “Geotourism Charter” this effort will bring attention to the risks that we face in this region such as the loss of biodiversity. At the same time we share our stories about places, history and the people who are making a difference in our rapidly changing region.
As a model for geotourism, the National Geographic Society has drawn up a "Geotourism Charter" based on 13 principles.
