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Subjects › Economic Development › Developing Local Government Tourism Industry
Updated 03/2012

Developing Local Government Tourism Industry

Contents

Introduction

Tourism is an important industry in Washington state. It is both a fast-growing industry nationwide and Washington's third largest industry. This is reflected in the increasing dollars generated for the economy and the heightened interest local communities have in developing a tourist industry. Some general observations about the characteristics of tourism in Washington counties are presented in Dean Runyan Associates' Washington State, Regional and County Travel Impacts.

This page addresses local planning for tourism, tourism programs of Washington local governments, and mechanisms to finance tourism activities.

Types of Tourism

Integrating different tourism activities may produce successful results in creating popular tourist destinations. Convention business may include offerings for family-oriented recreation facilities. The educational component of cultural attractions may enhance the value of recreational or entertainment destinations. There are specific types of tourism addressed in other webpages; see Related MRSC Pages above for MRSC pages on agricultural tourism, cultural and heritage tourism, entertainment (sports and recreation destinations), ecotourism, and tourism associated with wineries and food.

Planning for Tourism

Tourism planning requires strong local support. Communities must be willing to cater to tourists and provide settings and experiences that are attractive to the traveling public. The community should have amenities, attractions, and/or destinations around which to build a tourism strategy. Roger Brooks, of Destination Development International, emphasized the importance of catering to visitors in his remarks at a planning conference:

  • Quality is more important than money - but visitors still expect value
  • Convenience is mandatory
  • Curb appeal is critical: it can be a primary drawing card ... or a detractor
  • Quality: accommodations, dining, shopping, attractions
  • Pedestrian-oriented activities
  • Things to see and do: are they convenient?
  • Available visitor services

Tourism - Marketing Plans

General Tourism References

Local Tourism Programs

The following are a few examples of tourism program information from Washington cities and counties:

Tourism Advisory Committees

A few cities have created committees to advise on tourism, while others include this function within the focus of an Economic Development Committee.

Contracting for Tourism Services - Sample Agreements

Search MRSC Document Library Database by checking "Limit Search to" Agreements/Contracts - suggested search terms: tourism, lodging, hotel, chamber of commerce.

Financing Tourism

  • Ch. 67.28 RCW - Public Stadium, Convention, Arts, and Tourism Facilities - Authorizes municipalities to impose taxes on lodging facilities under this chapter and acquire and operate tourism-related facilities. In particular, see RCW 67.28.1816 - Lodging tax - Tourism promotion. (Expires June 30, 2013.)
  • Lodging Tax Report, Experience Washington - Also see MRSC 2009 Budget Suggestions
  • Hotel-Motel (Lodging) Tax (), in A Revenue Guide for Washington Cities and Towns, MRSC Report No. 46, revised June 2009 and Hotel-Motel (Lodging) Tax (), in A Revenue Guide for Washington Counties, MRSC Report No. 53, revised May 2010
  • Lodging Tax (Adobe Acrobat Document), by Brian Sonntag, State Auditor, 07/28/2006

Lodging Tax Advisory Committees

The hotel-motel tax or lodging tax is the primary source of funds for tourism promotion. If a city with a population over 5,000 wishes to impose a new hotel-motel tax, raise the rate of an existing tax, repeal an exemption from the hotel-motel tax, or change the use of the tax proceeds, it must form a lodging tax advisory committee (see RCW 67.28.1817). Some cities designate the "Tourism Advisory Committee" as the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee or include planning among the duties of the lodging tax advisory committee. Examples are listed below:

Tourism Promotion Areas

A Tourism Promotion Area (TPA) may be established by counties and cities within the county for the purpose of imposing a special assessment on lodging businesses to fund convention and tourism promotion (see Ch. 35.101 RCW - Tourism Promotion Areas). Interlocal agreements are required with each city and community in the proposed TPA

  • Pierce County Tourism Promotion Area
    • Pierce County Resolution No. 2009-32 (Adobe Acrobat Document), 05/2009 - Notice of Intent to Establish a Tourist Promotion Area - Tacoma, DuPont, Fife, Gig Harbor, Lakewood, Puyallup, Sumner, and unincorporated areas of Pierce County
  • Spokane County Tourism Promotion Area
  • Tri-Cities Tourism Promotion Area - Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco
    • Richland Municipal Code Ch. 5.36 - Special Lodging Assessment
  • Union Gap
    • Union Gap Resolution No. 907 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Notice of the Intent to Establish a Tourism Promotion Area (TPA), passed 01/10/2011
    • Union Gap Ordinance No. 2707 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Establishes Union Gap Tourism Promotion Area, passed 02/28/2011
    • Union Gap Tourism Promotion Area Management Agreement () - Contract to manage operational and administrative activities for the Union Gap Tourism Promotion Area (UGTPA); term is December 1, 2011 until terminated
  • Wenatchee Ordinance No. 2006-29 () - Establishes a tourism marketing area, passed 09/15/2006
  • Yakima County Tourism Promotion Area - Yakima, the Selah, Union Gap, and the unincorporated area of Yakima County
    • Yakima Municipal Code Ch. 5.99 - Tourist Promotion Area

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