Industry News Archives - State of Washington Tourism

Latest Tourism Statistics Point to Industry’s Potential to Drive Additional Revenue for Washington State

Annual State Tourism Impacts Released as National Tourism Week Begins SEATTLE – Figures released today by State of Washington Tourism (SWT) indicate continued recovery in Washington State’s visitor volume, expenditures, tax receipts and employment in 2022, though financial gains are undermined by inflation, have not kept pace with other states and employment growth continues to fall short of pre-pandemic benchmarks. The annual Economic Impacts of Visitors in Washington State, compiled by national travel research firm Tourism Economics for SWT, was released today in advance of National Travel and Tourism Week, May 7-13.

Recipients of Tourism Development Grants Announced

State of Washington Tourism will award a combined $270,000 in grant funding to 25 recipients across all 11 regional destinations SEATTLE (Oct. 26, 2022) – In a first for the industry, State of Washington Tourism (SWT) has announced the grant recipients of two tourism development programs.

Industry Awards Presented at State Tourism Conference

Three industry veterans inducted into Tourism Hall of Leadership SEATTLE (October 18, 2022) – State of Washington Tourism inaugurated a new award program last week at its conference, conferring recognitions for Outstanding Marketing Campaign, Rising Star in Tourism, and Destination Stewardship. Three industry veterans were also inducted into the new Tourism Hall of Leadership.

Responsible Outdoor Travel Summit Convenes Thought Leaders on the Future of State Travel and Recreation

SEATTLE (October 4, 2022) – Tourism, outdoor recreation and conservation leaders will meet to identify work for the post-pandemic horizon to re-balance the flow of visitors and recreationists across Washington, accommodate growing diversity of traveler interest in environmental sustainability and find ways for Washington stakeholders to work together on broad and long-lasting solutions. The inaugural Responsible Outdoor Travel Summit, October 13 at Bell Harbor International Conference Center in Seattle, will feature some of the latest trends in travel and recreation.

State Tourism Industry Convenes in Seattle October 11-13

First in-person conference in more than ten years features Rick Steves keynote, hot industry issues and regional roundtables; Summit on responsible outdoor travel gathers state thought leaders SEATTLE (October 4, 2022) – Washington’s tourism industry will hold its first in-person state tourism conference in more than ten years, attracting professionals from across the state, October 11–12 at the Seattle Airport Hilton Hotel in SeaTac. Following the conference, on October 13, the inaugural Responsible Outdoor Travel Summit will take place at Bell Harbor International Conference Center on the Seattle waterfront.

Tourism Workspace Brings Leaders Together to Develop Regional Tourism Strategy

The November-January collaborative workshop series will benefit Douglas, Chelan and Okanagan counties and the Colville Confederated Tribes SEATTLE (Oct 3, 2022) – State of Washington Tourism is offering a rural tourism support program for North Central Washington, encompassing three counties and the Colville Confederated Tribes. The program in November, December and January will bring together business owners and entrepreneurs with community leaders, local officials, land managers and tribal representatives to produce and execute a shared vision for creating a thriving and sustainable regional-tourism and outdoor recreation destination.

Washington Delegation Stands Up for Our State’s Travel Sector

This op-ed appeared in The Spokesman-Review on May 14, 2022 By David Blandford and Meg Winchester The United States has a well-earned reputation as one of the most desirable destinations for travelers from all over the world. However, the COVID-19 pandemic severely limited global travel, impacting the small businesses and workers that depend on international guests.

State of Washington Tourism Seeks Executive Assistant

Department: Executive FLSA Status: Exempt Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:30-5:00. Additional hours as needed. Reports to: Executive Director Salary: $37,000 to 73,000 per year DOE Prepared/Revised Date: May 4, 2022 Submit resume and cover letter to: david@stateofWAtourism.com Position Description Provides confidential executive level administrative support for the Executive Director and senior level executives.

State of Washington Tourism Seeks Part-time Bookkeeper

Department: Executive FLSA Status: Hourly, Non-Exempt Reports to: Executive Director Compensation: $20-30 per hour DOE Prepared/Revised Date: May 4, 2022 Submit resume and cover letter to: david@stateofwatourism.com Position Description Part-time, hourly bookkeeper responsible for accounting services, including management of financial accounts and records, tracking and processing invoices and payments and maintaining a system for organizing company financial documents. Work with Executive Director, staff members and retained accounting agency as needed in budgeting, budget management and monthly reconciliation.