Article
CBRE Advises on Hotel and Event Space Plan in Kamloops, B.C.
September 2, 2026 4 Minute Read
CBRE has been tapped by the Sc.wén̓wen Economic Development Corp. to create a hotel business plan and financial feasibility study for a proposed hotel and event space on behalf of the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation near Kamloops, B.C.
Rebecca Pickford, Senior Vice President of CBRE’s Destination Strategy & Consulting team, is leading the project along with Kirstin Hallett, Vice President of CBRE Hotels, assessing market viability, development considerations, projected costs and potential opportunities for a hotel project, along with the long-term community benefits.
“The goal is to create a space that generates revenue and meets market demand but that can also stand as a source of pride for the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc community,” Pickford says.
Ticking All the Boxes
While the study is still in its early stages, Pickford and her team are envisioning a hotel and meeting space where both local Indigenous groups and out-of-town corporate groups can gather, naturally engaging with the history of the land during their stay.
Destinations like Dakota Dunes near Saskatoon and the Manitoulin Hotel and Conference Centre in Ontario work toward the same goal, offering authentic cultural experiences alongside amenities like spas, golf courses and conference facilities.
“We want to find a concept that ticks all the boxes,” says Pickford. “Our aim is to create jobs for youth and attract a new generation of visitors who are interested in learning about the region’s local culture and heritage. At the same time, we also want a competitive hotel that generates meaningful revenue and brings social and economic benefits for the Nation.”
Tourism Expertise
CBRE was chosen to lead the project following a competitive request for proposal process.
“We were selected based on our experience with the Nation and approach with other tourism-related projects and strategies,” says Pickford.
She noted that her team was recruited by Tourism Kamloops last year to assess the potential for a Tier 3 convention centre in Kamloops, and was also retained the year prior to identify and evaluate the opportunity for an iconic attraction to boost the city’s appeal and tourism market. Both projects involved Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc involvement in advisory roles.
For Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc, Pickford says that understanding the community will be the key to building a successful hotel and tourism hub.
“It is just as important to generate revenue as it is to promote Secwépemc culture and history,” she says. “That’s why we want as many Rights Holders and interest holders as possible to engage in the process and provide their input here.
“The hotel development that results could be a real game-changer for this community.”
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Rebecca Pickford leads CBRE's feasibility study for a proposed hotel and conference centre near Kamloops for the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation.
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