Tourism and Television

Whatever its origins, Ogopogo has been a bonanza for Okanagan tourism. There is a booming tourist trade in the communities around Loch Ness with people looking for the monster. The same is true for towns around Okanagan Lake. The personality of Ogopogo has mellowed. Instead of a source of evil feared by First Nations people and early settlers, Ogopogo is now shown to be a gentle and fun-loving creature. It is easily recognized by its smiling face and bright green body. Ogopogo can be sighted everywhere today as plush toys, as cartoon characters on T-shirts, and as friendly-looking statues.

Ogopogo was featured on a postage stamp in October 1990. The stamp was issued as part of the Canadian Folklore series. Ogopogo was shown along with three other legendary characters: the Sasquatch, a giant squid called Kraken, and Loup-garou, the werewolf.