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Tourism in Numbers!
Visitor spending
$16.4 Billion
Tourism related jobs
150,900
Visitor tax revenues
$1.8 Billion
Source | Dean RunyanTravel Impact Study 2011
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New winery directional signs are being erected throughout the Yakima Valley. Recognizing the need to improve, update and unify directional signs to wineries, the Yakima County Development Association has led a project to replace and update existing directional signs. Project partners included New Vision, Yakima County, Yakima Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau with the feedback and support of the wineries in the valley.
The project is funded through Yakima County's Supporting Investments in Economic Diversification (SIED) program.
"These new signs will greatly help visitors find the wineries while presenting a professional image," said John Cooper of the Yakima Valley Visitors & Convention Bureau.
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Whidbey and Camano Island has seven state parks which are popular with both visitors and local residents. In order to promote Discover Pass sales, the Island County Tourism website has a direct link on its home page www.whidbeycamanoislands.com. Also on the website, several lodgings are offering $10 off per night for anyone who shows their Discover Pass. |
Ben Franklin would have been jealous! Spokane's newest attraction, Mobius Science Center will open its 28,000 square-foot downtown location August 3. Promising innovative, fascinating and interactive activities, Mobius Science will feed the curiosity of children and adults with more than 65 hands-on exhibits. Located on Main Avenue, directly across from River Park Square, the science museum will be a huge draw for locals and visitors, offering a one-of-a-kind educational experience in the Spokane region! Visit http://science.mobiusspokane.org/ for more information. |
The gateway communities around Mt. Rainier are bustling with new activity. Not only are they getting ready for the summer season at the mountain, there are several new projects underway. Some new cabins have been built, others have been upgraded. A zip line is coming to Northwest Trek and the amphitheater is under construction at the Ashford County Park. Eatonville's new Mashell State Park is taking shape and the Morton Depot just opened their new White Pass Byway Visitor Center. Tacoma Power is holding the Grand Opening of their cutting edge visitor center at the Salmon Fish Hatchery in Salkum. |
 From June 3-5, Vancouver USA was host to the Washington Society of Association Executives (WSAE) 2012 Convention. The conference, held at the Heathman Lodge, brought in 115 attendees from throughout the Northwest, many of which are the decision makers regarding meeting and conference locations for their organizations. This was a great opportunity to showcase Vancouver and Clark County as an ideal location for business meetings and conventions, which have a significant positive impact on the local economy.
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The Tri-Cities acquired another prestigious accolade in 2012 as Richland, which makes up the Tri-Cities region along with Kennewick and Pasco, was recently named the second greatest city to raise children in the nation by Kiplinger.com. Richland's rating was based on the number of public parks and playgrounds, spending per capita for education, income levels, and affordability. Earlier this year the Tri-Cities was named the most secure mid-sized community in the country after a Farmer's Insurance Study. The U.S. Census Bureau also announced that the Tri-Cities is the fasted growing metropolitan area in the nation. |
Tacoma Regional CVB 
A recent study prepared by Dean Runyan Associates for the Tacoma Regional CVB documents the economic significance of the travel industry in Pierce County. In 2011, Pierce County saw an estimated 4.993 million visitors, which resulted in $887 million in spending and $66.8 million in tax receipts. Travel spending in 2011 generated 10,060 Pierce County jobs with $226.2 million in earnings.
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Three big sporting events are coming to Seattle Southside this year! The 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Diving will take place at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center from June 17-24. Approximately 130 of America's best divers are expected to vie for 16 spots on the 2012 U.S. Olympic Diving Team in Federal Way.
U.S. Figure Skating recently selected ShoWare Center in Kent as the host venue for 2012 Hilton HHonors Skate America. The event is the first of six stops in the International Skating Union (ISU) Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series. Competition will take place Oct. 19-21. The DoubleTree by Hilton Seattle Airport will serve as the official host hotel for the event.
And, NCAA Division I collegiate lacrosse is coming to Tukwila this fall as top-ranked University of Maryland and the University of Denver will square-off in the first Seatown Classic, Saturday, October 13 at the Starfire Sports Campus.
These events will bring in athletes and spectators from around the world. Sporting events generate a large amount of visitor spending to a region and our hotels, restaurants, shops and attractions will greatly benefit from these events.
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San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau
 Media relations continues to be a key marketing strategy for the San Juan Islands due to our small budget. Stories about the islands can be found on newsstands now in five magazines: Better Homes & Gardens ("Vacation Equation," June), Sunset Summer Trips ("Around the West, The Sea Kayak Trip," Summer), Northwest Palate ("Island Gins," May/June), Seattle ("Foodies Afloat," June), and Seattle Met ("Washington Bike Towns," June). These and other articles can be found at www.visitsanjuans.com/media/san-juans-in-the-news |
Olympic Peninsula Tourism Commission (OPTC)
Brinnon/Quilcene area is getting ready for summer music that attracts locals and visitors alike. A new stage, constructed out of winter-cut fir logs (peeled by volunteers!) and flanked by two carved totem poles, is called Linger Longer and will headline Chance McKinney in the outdoor theater with a blend of country, 90's Rock, 60's Motown and some Heavy Metal influences on July 21. Linger Longer Productions' sole purpose is to provide financial support for the Quilcene Historical Museum. Olympic Music Festival (Saturdays and Sundays, June 3 - September 2) is the venue for world-renown musicians offering an outstanding classical music experience during this 29th season of "Concerts in the Barn." There is something for almost every musical ear and outdoor venues to enjoy the beauty of the peninsula. |
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