Tagpos_rm_2020_07_28(10)

This July 2020 Port of Seattle Commission briefing outlines the FlyHealthy@SEA program, a multi-layered health and safety initiative launched at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program's goals include maintaining a safe airport environment, restoring traveler confidence, and returning passenger volumes through measures such as enhanced cleaning, physical distancing in common areas and gate hold rooms, hand sanitizer stations, and coordinated communication with airport partners.

This draft program outlines a cooperative tourism marketing and recovery initiative between the Port of Seattle and the Washington Tourism Alliance, covering August 2020 through July 2021. It sets goals to increase leisure travel, airport passenger volume, and hospitality employment across Washington State following COVID-19 disruptions, with a combined investment of approximately $2.53 million in campaigns, destination branding, travel trade promotion, and industry recovery efforts. Key initiatives include the 'Explore Washington's Backyard' campaign and the 'ShowWALove.com' gift card program, targeting both in-state residents and North American air markets.

The Port of Seattle's Economic Development Partnership Grant Program provides $960,000 in annual funding to King County cities to support local economic recovery and development activities such as small business assistance, downtown revitalization, and business attraction. Awards are capped at $65,000 and require a 50% local match, with city partners collectively contributing $680,000 in matching funds. The program was adapted in response to the Port Commission's Recovery Resolution to prioritize economic development investments and maximize partnerships across the region.

The Port of Seattle's Economic Development Partnership Program, which distributes nearly $900,000 in annual grants to King County cities, pivoted in 2020 to focus on COVID-19 relief and recovery efforts such as small business assistance, tourism support, and local placemaking. Over half of the city contracts were modified to address pandemic-related economic dislocations, with 34% of funds redirected toward small business assistance. For 2021, the program recommended narrowing eligible activities to the highest-impact recovery initiatives, discouraging unrelated business attraction projects.

In July 2020, the Port of Seattle Commission considered a $1.5 million joint marketing agreement with the Washington Tourism Alliance to help rebuild tourism after COVID-19 caused a 75% drop in passenger traffic at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and a 72% decline in hotel room revenue. The funds, drawn from the Port's property tax levy, would support a 15-month campaign targeting U.S. and Canadian travelers to restore visitor spending, hospitality jobs, and economic activity across Washington State. The initiative aimed to increase year-over-year travel volume by 50% and SEA airport passenger numbers by 60% by April 2021.