Destination Osoyoos (DO) has had its ups and downs over the years, but if last week’s annual general meeting and the board meeting that followed are an indication, it seems to be back on an up.

Two new directors were chosen to fill spots that were up for renewal. That in itself isn’t remarkable, but the fact that five candidates competed for an election to those two spots is.

This, as well as turnout at the meeting, are indications that members of the business community and public at large are taking an interest in DO. And that’s a good thing.

The board now has a broad range of people with different backgrounds and experience – it’s not just people from the hospitality and tourism industries.

DO has long been seen as an organization promoting the tourism industry in Osoyoos. But, at the same time that Gail Scott was hired as managing director last year, it has also shifted to a broader focus on economic development.

Osoyoos will always rely on tourism – and this town has so much to offer tourists with many interests – but reliance solely on tourism tends to lead to a seasonal economy when the town booms in the summer and goes into hibernation in the winter.

Scott and others have rightly focused on attracting tourists during the slower shoulder seasons and seeking to diversify the Osoyoos economy beyond tourism.

At last week’s AGM and board meeting, DO chose to pursue several avenues, but also recognized that it can’t spread itself too thin by trying to take on everything.

The board is establishing task teams to address two important issues – encouraging affordable housing for those especially who work in the hospitality industry and revitalizing the downtown core.

Solutions to those two challenges will likely need to come largely from private investment, but by looking into success stories elsewhere and encouraging local policies that follow best practices, DO can help to bring about those needed improvements.

DO has also identified a number of important target markets for attracting tourists.

Geographically, it is forcusing efforts on Vancouver, Calgary and Seattle. It is also paying attention to such tourism segments as weddings, motorcyclists, fishing, Chinese tourists and media who can reach those targets.

Again, DO doesn’t want to spread itself too thin, but those target groups are also ones identified by The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) as well as provincial organizations.

One of the ideas moved to the back burner by the board was a proposal from Scott to look into electric vehicles to provide transportation for visitors and local residents.

Though it’s probably less of a priority than downtown revitalization or affordable housing, it’s an idea that shouldn’t be abandoned completely.

Many visitors to Osoyoos don’t bring cars with them and renting a vehicle in Penticton is often impractical for short trips around town.

Scott has suggested two electric 12-seater shuttles and an electric car-sharing pool based at resorts.

Of course the economics of this idea would need to be thoroughly researched, but electric vehicles are increasingly viable for short journeys and they’re also an environmentally friendly solution.

Not every idea that DO comes up with is going to be feasible, but the fact that these ideas are coming forward is a healthy sign – as is the enthusiasm from the community.

We wish Destination Osoyoos success in its efforts to promote and diversify the local economy.