|
Tourism in Numbers!
Visitor spending
$15.2 Billion
Tourism related jobs
143,800
Visitor tax revenues
$992 Million
Source | Dean RunyanTravel Impact Study 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Grassroots efforts by a group of soccer parents have created the Dungeness Cup Soccer Tournament to be played on Dept of Ecology Water Reuse Park in Sequim August 3-5. This first-time event has already drawn 23 teams (that is 1200 children and coaches) with an average of two adults in tow for each child, with a goal of 30 teams to play. The Dungeness Cup introduces the new soccer fields, which the Sequim soccer parents anticipate will host many soccer and sporting events throughout the year. |
 Washington's newest byway - the San Juan Islands Scenic Byway - is one more reason to visit the beautiful San Juan Islands. Thanks to a national scenic byway grant focused on exploring alternative ways to travel our byway, we're running a summer promotion regarding a free companion Explorer Day Pass aboard our local shuttle bus. Promotions also encourage people to travel our byway by bicycle, moped or scootcar. For more information see www.visitsanjuans.com/scenicbyway. |
 In June, the Tacoma Regional CVB-along with Seattle's CVB and The Port of Seattle-hosted a team of travel writers from the Chinese publishing house China Machine Press. The writers are creating a 200-page Washington guidebook which will be sold nationwide in China at major bookstores and online stores such as Amazon.com, Dangdang.com and 360buy.com. The travel writers visited locations across Tacoma + Pierce County and Washington state for the book which will tell Chinese readers about new experiences, active lifestyles, name-brand shopping and open-minded travel. In November 2012, 10,000 copies of the book will be published. |
 The Tri-Cities welcomes the Columbia Cup Hydroplane Races July 27-29. The shores of the Columbia River will be packed full of 60,000 spectators watching unlimited hydroplanes glide over the water and airplanes soar through the sky during the "Over the River" Airshow which accompanies the event. The Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau estimates this event brings close to $2.25 million in economic impact each year. Also taking place on July 27 and 28 is the 62nd annual Art in the Park event, where many artists from across the country share their creations in Richland's Howard Amon Park. For more information on these events and the Tri-Cities go to www.VisitTRI-CITIES.com. |
 Throughout the summer months, thousands of visitors will come to Vancouver USA from near and far to take part in the various festivals, concerts, art walks, and farmers markets. With events including the Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival, the Clark County Fair, the first annual Vancouver Brewfest USA, the AMA Motocross Championship, and so much more, these visitors play in integral part in our local economy. Every person who travels to Vancouver contributes to the $424 million spent annually by tourists and the $5.9 million collected in local taxes. They also support the 3,720 tourism-related jobs in Clark County. |
 The annual Bellevue Arts Museum ARTSfair http://www.bellevuearts.org/fair/index.html kicks off Friday July 27-Sunday July 29. BAM ARTSfair weekend also includes the Bellevue Downtown Association's 6th Street Fair and the Bellevue Festival of the Arts Fair attracted over 330,000 attendees in 2011 making it the largest event in Bellevue. In its 66th year and as vibrant as ever, BAM ARTSfair returns with over 300 artists from across the continent and opportunities to engage in a multitude of free, fun community programs designed to celebrate art and creative expression. While many of those attending are locals we also know that Bellevue's hotels, restaurants and retailers also see a significant bump in activity over the weekend. |
 Spokane has never met a major event it can't successfully handle. Now it's handled two simultaneously! Spokane hosted the 61st National Square Dance Convention, June 27-30. Close to 5,500 attendees came from all over the globe including Japan, Germany and Australia. On Saturday, June 30, the convention overlapped with Hoopfest, the world's largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament that brings 250,000 players and fans to downtown Spokane. Since 2008, Visit Spokane team members, National Square Dance Convention Committee members and Hoopfest organizers have discussed how the two events could work together (both are family friendly events!). It was a perfect fusion of hoops and hoop skirts! The two events pumped more than $50 million into the regional economy. What a powerful example of tourism flexing its financial muscle! |
Island County continues its outreach to military families. Many attractions and lodgings are offering military discounts. Both Whidbey and Camano islands were recently featured by military media the Northwest Aviator, the Ranger, Military.Com and the Weekly Volcano. Whidbey Island was awarded the 2012 Golden Teddy Award for Best Family Getaway by Parent Map. This summer the islands' state parks continue to offer creative events like the Open Air Quilt Show at Cama Beach and new Concert Series at Deception Pass http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/outdoors/2018545109_odoutoftown01.html.
|
|
|
|
|
