TagTourism(27)
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2024-12-172023-24 State Tourism Program Operational Funding Request: Quick information
The State of Washington Tourism program is requesting operational funding through companion bills HB 1258 and SB 5465, which would raise the general funds cap to $13 million per fiscal year and adjust industry matching requirements. Without this funding, the program faces budget cuts of 36% in 2023 and an additional 30% in 2024, threatening statewide tourism initiatives. The request represents just 1% of state sales tax collections from rental cars, lodging, and restaurants, and aims to support rural communities, responsible travel campaigns, and economic resilience across Washington State. -
How airline mergers hurt travelers — and how you can fight them
By Christopher Elliott Special to The Seattle Times Travel Troubleshooter If the latest wave of proposed airline mergers has left you a little worried, then you have a good memory. Historically, airline mergers are terrible for passengers. And the latest two — the proposed combination of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, and of JetBlue Airways -
What tourists at a downtown Seattle hostel have to say about our city
By Erik Lacitis Pacific NW magazine writer Postscripts 2023: Catching up with some of this year’s cover story subjects. AMID OUR COMPLAINTS about this or that being wrong with Seattle, we locals can forget why this is a truly magnificent city. So thank you, tourists. In June, I wrote a story about the most-asked questions tourists have when -
2023-10-01Washington Responsible Travel Handbook: Companion Workbook
The Washington Responsible Travel Handbook Companion Workbook, published in 2023 by the Port of Seattle in partnership with the Travel Foundation and Tourism Cares, is a practical guide to help tourism organizations plan and implement responsible, sustainable travel practices across Washington State. It includes reflection questions, worksheets, and action-planning tools covering topics such as diversity and inclusion, impact management, product development, and responsible marketing. The workbook is designed to support destination managers and community stakeholders in building a more equitable and environmentally conscious tourism sector. -
2023-10-01
Washington Responsible Travel Handbook: Companion Workbook
Companion Workbook to the Washington Responsible Travel Handbook, published in 2023 by Port Of Seattle in partnership with the Travel Foundation and Tourism Cares. The workbook supports tourism industry practitioners in Washington State with reflection questions, worksheets, and action planning tools covering sustainable and inclusive tourism, diversity equity inclusion and accessibility (DEIA), impact management, product -
2023-06-07City of Burien economic development
The City of Burien's Economic Development program supports local businesses through microenterprise programs, small business grants, maker spaces, and a Digital Main Street Program. The city also promotes visitor attraction and community engagement via social media channels, a business e-newsletter, citywide business surveys, and tourism videos. Several initiatives are funded in part by the Port of Seattle. -
2022-01-01Seattle Times Infographic: 2022 Seattle and King County Visitor Origins and Demographics
A Seattle Times infographic (reported by Erik Lacitis, graphics by Mark Nowlin) showing that in 2022, 96% of Seattle and King County visitors came from the U.S., with top origin states being Washington, California, Oregon, Texas, and New York, and top foreign origin countries being Canada, UK, India, Germany, and China. The graphic also breaks down visitor age groups and household incomes, sourced from Longwoods International and Tourism Economics. -
The ‘flight shame’ issue comes home to Rick Steves
Rick Steves, the Edmonds travel guru, plans to pay a million dollars a year to make up for the carbon emissions linked to his travel business. (Don Ryan / AP) By Danny Westneat Seattle Times columnist Rick Steves is in a bit of a conundrum. One that not even a million bucks is likely to -
2018-12-11Tourism Marketing Grant Program 2019
The Port of Seattle's Tourism Marketing Grant Program, presented at the December 11, 2018 commission meeting, outlines the fourth year of a partnership initiative aimed at advancing statewide tourism and promoting use of Port facilities across Washington. The program has built partnerships with 26 organizations spanning King County, Eastern Washington, the Olympic Peninsula, and Western Washington, generating visitor interest and travel throughout the state. Smaller tourism organizations have been noted as particularly appreciative of the program's support. -
2018-11-162019 Tourism Marketing Support Program
The Port of Seattle Commission is requesting authorization for its 2019 Tourism Marketing Support Program, a grant initiative now in its fourth year that distributes up to $200,000 in King County tax levy funds to local destination marketing organizations, chambers of commerce, and nonprofits to promote tourism across Washington State. Grants of up to $10,000 each require a two-to-one match from recipients and must be used for advertising, public relations, digital marketing, trade shows, or familiarization tours aimed at attracting out-of-state visitors. Over its first three years, the program funded 57 projects and generated approximately $700,000 in additional tourism marketing statewide.