Industry Update: August 2026 | | Projects Selected for Tourism Research Program | | |
SWT will partner with three tourism entities on research projects in a new pilot program. The City of Moses Lake, the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau, and the North Central Washington Sports Rink and Event Center will receive technical assistance and project management for visitor and resident surveys. SWT will work closely with stakeholders to define research objectives, develop question themes, and ensure an adequate sample size and representative population.
Amy Nesler, communications/stewardship manager with the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau, said the project will assist in capturing additional visitor data and improve their understanding of visitor motivations for off-season travel and stewardship-focused practices and activities.
“This will help guide our work in creating better-targeted and more meaningful campaigns and programs that drive sustainable tourism in the islands throughout the year,” Nesler said.
SWT selected research proposals based on community benefit, leadership capacity, and project readiness. This pilot program aims to bolster the capacity and decision-making abilities of local partners while supporting destination stewardship efforts, particularly in planning and grant applications for tourism projects.
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Applications for Initial Ratepayer Oversight Board Due Aug. 6
Those interested in being considered for the initial Ratepayer Oversight Board now have until 8 a.m. this Thursday, Aug. 6, to apply. The board will guide the development of a statewide Tourism Assessment Program. Initial board members will serve for six months or until completion of the first ratification referendum, during which time the board will be responsible for designing the assessment structure, developing an annual budget, and recommending program adjustments.
Qualifications include:
- Must be an employee or officer of a tourism business from one of the seven applicable industry sectors in the assessment program
- Member of an industry business that derives a meaningful share of its business from non-local visitors
Download the application to see the full list of qualifications. Please email completed applications to washingtontourismadvisorygroup@gmail.com.
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Landing Page Highlights Wildfire Relief
To help support communities impacted by wildfires and provide resources to visitors, SWT has published a wildfire relief page on stateofWAtourism.com. The page includes donation links and local travel advisories for affected areas. SWT will update this page and the broader travel alerts page with new information as it becomes available.
Impacted destinations are encouraged to send updates to Michelle McKenzie at michelle@stateofwatourism.com.
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Belgian Tour Operators Explore Washington
Ruben Gryson of Exciting West recently visited Washington State, starting in Seattle with a stay at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel. He experienced some of the city’s top attractions with a Seattle CityPASS before diving into music history on a Seattle Grunge Redux tour. In Snohomish County, he explored aviation history at the Boeing Future of Flight and took a whale watching tour with Puget Sound Express. He also visited the Skagit Valley and enjoyed a day trip to Friday Harbor.
Hosted by: SWT, Port of Seattle, Discover Snohomish County, Skagit Tourism Bureau, and San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau.
Pieter Demunyck of Penta Reizen recently toured Washington State to develop new itineraries for the Penta’s USA website and social channels. In Seattle, he utilized the CityPASS and enjoyed an Argosy Locks Cruise and Savor Seattle Food Tour. He also visited Everett’s Boeing Future of Flight and Bainbridge Island’s Bloedel Reserve before continuing to the Olympic Peninsula for lavender in Sequim, rain forests, and hiking.
Hosted by: SWT, Port of Seattle, Boeing, and Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau.
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Thanks to Hospitality Community for Hosting FIFA World Cup 26™
SWT would like to thank the hospitality community across Washington for their work hosting FIFA World Cup 26™. From airport staff and Seattle's tourism teams to DMOs and volunteers in fan zones statewide, Washingtonians showed the world what makes this place so special. Your hard work turned a global event into an unforgettable Washington experience. SWT is proud of what our state accomplished and grateful to everyone who made it happen.
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Save on SWT Digital Ad Packages for 2027
Plan ahead and save. Book your 2027 digital advertising package by Nov. 2, 2026, to lock in discounted rates and reach travelers actively planning trips to Washington.
Package 1 – $4,700 (Save $400!)
- Sponsored Web Article: $1,800 – Placement in relevant sections on stateofWAtourism.com for at least one year.
- Dedicated Email: $1,800 – Sent directly to SWT's consumer e-news subscribers.
- Display Advertising (Minimum Buy): $1,500 – 75,000 impressions delivered across native and banner ads. Minimum campaign duration: two months.
Package 2 – $3,000 (Save $300!)
- Sponsored Web Article: $1,800 – Placement in relevant sections on stateofWAtourism.com for at least one year.
- E-Newsletter Ad: $500 – One ad in SWT's monthly consumer e-news
- Display Advertising (Minimum Buy): $1,000 – 50,000 impressions delivered across native and banner ads. Minimum campaign duration: two months.
Package 3 – $2,600 (Save $200!)
- Dedicated Email: $1,800 – Sent directly to SWT's consumer e-news subscribers.
- Display Advertising (Minimum Buy): $1,000 – 50,000 impressions delivered across native and banner ads. Minimum campaign duration: two months.
SWT members and partners can unlock even more savings. Become a member or partner today. Contact SWT's Marissa Petrovich to secure your ad package.
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Upcoming Skillshop will Focus on Digital Ad Design Best Practices
Join SWT on Thursday, Aug. 27, at 10 a.m. for a Tourism Skillshop about digital ad design basics. Learn about the elements of an effective banner ad, from compelling imagery and copy to a strong CTA. Graphic designer Laurie Vette and SWT's Marianne Graff will share practical tips, design mistakes, and real examples to help you design click-worthy ads.
Attendees will also learn about digital advertising opportunities with SWT. Whether you're promoting a destination, event, attraction, or hotel, banner ads on stateofWAtourism.com can help you reach travelers actively planning trips to Washington.
Matthew Ozuna, destination development manager for SWT, moderates the webinar series, and all webinars are recorded and available on the SWT YouTube channel.
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Become a Tourism Advocate
Industry members are encouraged to join SWT’s free tourism advocate program to support tourism legislative efforts and stay connected to the statewide tourism industry.
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New from Locl: Meet the Opportunities Tab
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Log into your Locl account today or enroll for free.
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Submit Events to SWT Calendar
Destinations, festival organizers, and other organizations are invited to submit their events directly to SWT's event calendar. The events calendar is intended as a resource for visitors to and within the State of Washington who are seeking leisure activities.
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Dates to Know: Conferences & More
ESTO: Aug. 23-26 | Philadelphia, PA – An annual learning and knowledge-sharing forum for destination marketing professionals.
Connect RTO Marketplace: Aug. 24-26 | Tampa, FL – Event that brings together hundreds of North American travel suppliers and receptive tour operator buyers.
Brand USA Travel Week: Sept. 28-Oct. 1 | Amsterdam – SWT attends this London-based show to conduct B2B meetings with international tour operators.
Arrival 360: Oct. 13-16 | Spokane, WA – Conference for tour operators, experiences, and attractions to connect, learn best practices, and share insights.
American Indigenous Tourism Conference: Oct. 19-22 | Tulalip, WA – A national conference dedicated to growing tourism in America’s Indigenous communities with high-level keynote speakers and sessions from top hospitality and tourism experts.
Contact Lisa Kruse for tips on how to get the most out of these shows to grow tourism for your region, city, or business.
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Industry News Highlights
Are you a Destination Marketing Organization or other tourism industry stakeholder with noteworthy news to share? Send links to press releases and announcements to beth@stateofwatourism.com for possible inclusion in the newsletter.
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State of Washington Tourism | stateofwatourism.com
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