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Tour operators, travel media and key Chinese travel trade suppliers will be targeted for Washington State familiarization trips by i2i in the coming months. The firm is also coordinating a destination trade mission in China, developing a Chinese-language web site for Seattle and Washington State and distributing monthly newsletters and other communications targeted to Chinese travel consumers.

Washington state is viewed as a highly desirable destination for Chinese travelers. Situated 10 1/2 hours by air from China, Washington State is the closest mainland U.S. destination to China and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport offers extensive connections to Alaska, Hawaii and throughout the continental U.S. On June 9, Hainan Airlines, China's only privately-held airline, inaugurated the first non-stop service between Beijing and Seattle, making Seattle the airline's first U.S. destination. Last month, Northwest Airlines announced a new non-stop Beijing-Seattle route beginning March 1, 2009. The Port of Seattle's growing cruise offerings are also expected to draw Chinese travelers, as are the state's visitor attractions, outdoor recreation and professional sports events, shopping and noted food and wine.

For more information, contact Michael Kurtz at mkurtz@visitseattle.org.

European Sales Mission: Space is Still Available
In partnership with the Port of Seattle and Washington State Tourism, SCVB will lead a delegation of destination marketing organizations and private sector companies on a tourism sales mission in Hamburg, Frankfurt and Paris, October 12-18. The delegation will target tour operators, travel trade professionals and consumer media organizations. With a weak U.S. dollar in Europe and new flights from key European cities to Seattle, this is an ideal time to court the lucrative European travel market. SCVB's Tourism Development team is still recruiting participants for the delegation. The registration fee is $3,000 (which does not include airfare, accommodations and expenses).

For more information, contact Brad Jones at bjones@visitseattle.org.

SPORTS REPORT

Washington Games Take a Bite Out of Youth Obesity
On August 2, the Washington Games conclude a month-long Olympic-style sporting competition that attracted more than 7,000 participants in more than 20 sporting events from basketball to swimming and non-traditional sports such as skateboarding.

The games are a major component of the Seattle Sports Commission's Powered by You health initiative, a public awareness campaign fighting youth obesity by promoting healthier lifestyles. In addition to the games, the campaign combines a web site, public service announcements and joint messaging with private companies and local health and community leaders to deliver its crucial message to the state's youth.

The SSC worked closely with Virginia Mason Medical Center - a driving force behind the health campaign and the games - and marshaled a team of local health leaders and corporate sponsors committed to making a difference in the fight against youth obesity.

Nearly one in four of Washington State's youth in grades 8, 10 and 12 are overweight or obese, according to the State of Washington's Children 2006-2007 report published by the University of Washington. The report also found that thirty percent of Washington's eighth graders do not participate in physical education classes in an average school week.

More can be learned about about the games and plans for the 2009 competition by visiting www.washingtongames.org. To learn about SSC's ongoing youth health campaign, visit www.poweredbyyou.org; the web site also offers health and fitness facts and resources.

Seattle to Host Gay Softball World Series
Seattle will host the 2008 Gay Softball World Series, August 22-30, with some 200 teams and 4,000 participants from throughout the U.S. and Canada competing. The event is organized by the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA), the international governing body for gay softball.

The Seattle Sports Commission joined the Emerald City Softball Association to bid on the event with endorsements by Seattle's Convention and Visitors Bureau, King County Executive Ron Sims and Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels.

The winning bid, announced in February 2007, emphasized the progressive social environment of the Puget Sound area and the ideal sporting weather that is typical in August. In addition, Seattle presented its partnership with key local groups such as Team Seattle and the Greater Seattle Business Association.

Many of the games and other events will be held at venues throughout South King County. Opening ceremonies will be held at the Seattle Center's Mural Amphitheater on August 25. Championship games for all divisions will be held at Russell Road Park in Kent.

For more information on the series, including volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, click here.