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Washington Tourism Alliance Priorities — David Blandford, Interim Executive Director

Summary

Washington Tourism Alliance presentation by David Blandford, Interim Executive Director, on the effect of COVID-19 on travel and tourism. It states that Washington State saw a 75% reduction in visitor expenditures (more than $8 billion) since March 1, and that 42% of all unemployment was related to the pandemic. It states that the state’s network of 20 non-profit destination marketing organizations had a 50-70% loss of budget since March, with more than half of employees laid off or furloughed. Under critical factors in industry recovery, it lists an industry request for $12 million in WTA programs.

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Issuer
Congressional materials
Date
2020-12-01

Cite this document

“Washington Tourism Alliance Priorities — David Blandford, Interim Executive Director.” Original at app.leg.wa.gov, dated 2020-12-01. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/2020-12-01-2020-12-01-a28047-d223973-update-from-washington-tourism-alliance-ppt-wta/, SHA-256 1fdec3d5387aeadfac4e46cd2016fef08283becf36f55d3e235507a2d72f8bb7.

Full text

David Blandford
Interim Executive Director

Washington Tourism
Alliance
            Travel and tourism Industry
        disproportionately hurt by COVID-19

U.S.:

• 9 times more damaging to the tourism industry than 9/11
• Full industry recovery projected to take 3-5 years

Washington State:

• 75% reduction in visitor expenditures (more than $8 billion)
  since March 1
• 42% of all unemployment related to the pandemic
            Tourism Industry Impact
               on State Economy


“Because such a large share of job losses are related to travel,
an economic recovery can only come through a restoration of
travel to and within Washington State.”

- Adam Sacks, President of Tourism Economics
                Tourism industry:
Asd          segmented but synergistic
      Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) – stimulate demand, support jobs



                         Tours and transportation – Bring visitors


           Hotels and restaurants (hospitality) – accommodate and serve visitors
            Meetings and events – generate economic impact and lodging taxes


                  Outdoor recreation – disperses visitors around the state


                     Cultural institutions – offers heritage and history
               Tribal attractions – educate visitors, sustain tribal operations


                          Attractions – exhibits/events lure visits
                   Retail shops – increase expenditures and tax receipts
           State DMOs Critically Impaired


State’s network of 20 non-profit destination marketing
organizations severely limited by pandemic
funding shortfalls:

   • 50-70% loss of budget since March

   • More than half of employees laid off or furloughed

   • Projected DMO funding from lodging tax revenue expected to be seriously
     reduced in 2021
   Washington Tourism Alliance Priorities
Industry Recovery and Development
       Serving:
       • Rural and underserved communities
       • Small businesses (80% of industry)


       Relief Programs:
       • Grants
       • Technical assistance
       • Industry training and education
       • Wrap-around services


Long-term Economic Recovery and Resiliency
       • Stimulate visitor expenditures
       • Generate tax receipts
       • Re-generate tourism jobs
WTA Public-Private Partnership in Recovery

• 2018 enabling legislation with 2:1 private/public matching
  program - $3 million per biennium:
   • Industry matching funds from every state region
   • Washington State general funds

• WTA membership/partnership funds to date - $2.6 million

• New partnership with Port of Seattle - $1.5 million in 2021

• Pursuing EDA grant for industry recovery

• Pursuing corporate support for industry development/marketing
 WTA is Re-Investment in Tourism Industry


• Co-op programs at low and no-cost to the industry:
   o Sales leads to state businesses
   o Travel trade marketplaces
   o Consumer data/analytics
   o Marketing tools and collateral

• Recovery campaigns for communities and small businesses

• Industry recovery/resource site

• Destination research +39 county reports, consumer analytics
      Critical Factors in Industry Recovery

• WTA private-public matching program (base funding) re-
  authorized for 2021-2023 biennium

• Industry request for $12 million in WTA programs that help
  restore the state’s hardest-hit industry:

   • Generate tourism demand for Washington communities and businesses

   • Sustain recovery market share with competing Western states

   • Attract future private sector/corporate investment by demonstration of a
     successful tourism marketing program
Thank you for
your support!

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2020-12-01_a28047_d223973_update-from-washington-tourism-alliance-ppt-wta.pdf
Size
593,946 bytes
SHA-256
1fdec3d5387aeadfac4e46cd2016fef08283becf36f55d3e235507a2d72f8bb7
Our copy
2020-12-01_a28047_d223973_update-from-washington-tourism-alliance-ppt-wta.pdf
Original
app.leg.wa.gov
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