Kelowna Hotel Leads the Way for an Eco-Friendly Stay

The Best Western Plus Kelowna Hotel & Suites has become the first organization to become ecobase certified.

Ecobase is an organization in Kelowna that encourages businesses to invest in carbon-reduction projects and generate an eco-fund to cover the costs. The Kelowna hotel has already installed electric vehicle charging ports, low-flow toilets, a 24-room environmental wing and a solar hybrid water-heating system.

“This is a big, ambitious project, but that’s really where they’re at,” said ecobase CEO Angela Nagy, who also heads GreenStep Solutions and the Green Tourism program. “We’re very excited to be working with the Kelowna Best Western because they really are such leaders in the hotel and tourism industry.”

GreenStep also recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, which will promote both ecobase and Green Tourism certification to stakeholders. The Best Western in Kelowna is the first hotel in the region to be certified by both.

“We promote sustainability stewardship because it is what we believe in. We have taken on corporate responsibility to assist others in our industry on their own sustainability journey. It’s great when we hear we have inspired others in the tourism industry to challenge themselves to do more,” said Brenda Rayburn, Director of Sales and Marketing at the hotel. “We’re all going to benefit because the demand is growing as more and more people seek out eco-friendly accommodations and activities so they can travel responsibly.”

The hotel has won numerous environmental awards and recognition over the years.