WA 2023-2034 State-Tourism-Funding-Quick-Info

2023-24 State Tourism Program Operational Funding Request Quick Information The state tourism program has been successfully re-built with public and private investment. Now it needs a funding stream to operate, and drive statewide economic impact, resiliency and equity. Companion bills HB 1258 and SB 5465 will raise the current cap on general funds to $13 million per fiscal year and adjust the industry matching requirement from 2:1 to 1:1 (industry to state). This amount is necessary to operate the re-built tourism program statewide and year-round, including: ✓ Scale rural and underserved community development and grants ✓ Balance visitation flow, broaden destination stewardship ✓ Deploy responsible travel campaigns that regenerate and enhance the tax base Without these operational funds, programs will be greatly reduced or cut ✓ State of Washington Tourism’s budget declines 36% in 2023, an additional 30% in 2024 What it takes to operate statewide, year-round ✓ The average state tourism office operating budget is $23 million per fiscal year ✓ 29 states have increased budgets since the pandemic ✓ Competing western state programs: Oregon, $44M; Montana, $40M; Wyoming, $26M; Utah, $25M; Arizona, $23M; Colorado, $22M This is good investment for Washington ✓ State tourism program is re-built and ready to produce revenue ✓ A strong public-private partnership is established ✓ Tourism program success has been demonstrated ✓ Request is just 1% of collections from of state sales tax on rental cars, lodging and restaurants - and the tourism program will regenerate tax revenue ✓ Revenue from out-of-state visitors…

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PSCAA Advisory Council Meeting Agenda
Add to CalendarMWednesday Mar 11, 9:00am - 11:35am
1904 3rd Avenue, Suite 105, Seattle, WA 98101
Call to order – Roll Call – Quorum Established – Land Acknowledgement We would like to acknowledge that our Agency operates in four present-day counties, which are the traditional lands of the Coast Salish people, past and present. This acknowledgement does not take the place of authentic relationships with indigenous communities in our jurisdiction and [...]