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 OUTLOOK ON TOURISM
A Message from Tom Norwalk
President & CEO
Seattle's Convention and Visitors Bureau
Dear Tourism Supporter,
As you read this issue of Seattle Metronatural News, take note of the good news.
Despite the global drop-off in travel and tourism during the past year - and repercussions affecting every destination - signs of recovery and ongoing economic development abound throughout the regional tourism industry.
New air service is inaugurated. New accommodations are opening. The Hyatt Regency Bellevue boasts a major new tower. New train service strengthens the link between Seattle and Vancouver six months before the start of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games. And, new entry regulations at Sea-Tac ease the transit of overseas tourists visiting Seattle, King County and Washington state.
Our destination ranks high in the minds of global travelers, as a newly-released poll by readers of Travel + Leisure magazine indicates.
Our annual tourism report card, compiled by CIC Research, Inc., shows that visitor volume and expenditures flattened in 2008 – not a surprise considering the soft travel economy. The good news is that we project Seattle and King County's tourism economy will rebound quicker than most destinations.
SCVB's sales, marketing and communications teams are working hard to influence the pace of economic recovery throughout our region and to stimulate future business across many sectors of our industry. This summer and fall, our Convention Sales team continues an aggressive schedule of outbound sales trips to key markets to book lucrative meeting and convention business for future years. Meanwhile, our Tourism Development team is hosting more than a hundred professional travel planners and media from primary overseas and North American markets. The spotlight continues to shine brightly on Seattle's world-class arts and culture this fall. And SCVB is working in new and exciting ways with the Downtown Seattle Association and Seattle Center to strengthen Fourth Quarter and holiday business during this difficult year.
As we plan for 2010, we have reason to be optimistic and we look forward to reporting more good news.
Best Regards,
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ICELANDAIR INAUGURATES NEW NON-STOP SEATTLE TO REYKJAVIK ROUTE. Icelandair began four flights a week between Seattle and Reykjavik, Iceland with non-stop connections through to Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm and other European destinations. Read more here. |
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HYATT REGENCY BELLEVUE OPENS NEW TOWER. The new $185 million tower at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue officially opened to the public July 31. The tower features 351 new guestrooms, a new state-of-the-art 17,745 Grand Ballroom, a 13,755 square-foot Evergreen Ballroom and a 135-seat auditorium. The property now features 733 total guest rooms and 60,000 square feet of meeting space. Visit www.bellevue.hyatt.com to learn more. |
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HOSTELLING INTERNATIONAL OPENS IN DOWNTOWN SEATTLE. The new American Hotel is a 90-room, 320-bed hostel with dorm-style accommodations. Visit www.americanhotelseattle.com for more. |
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SEATTLE REJOINS T+L'S TOP-TEN CITIES. Seattle was named the #10 top city in the U.S. and Canada by readers of Travel + Leisure magazine. The accolade was featured as part of the magazine's 14th annual World's Best Awards, presented in the August 2009 issue. This year, Seattle ranks behind New York, San Francisco, Quebec City, Charleston, Santa Fe, Chicago, Savannah, Victoria, B.C. and Montreal. |
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"GLOBAL ENTRY" EXPANDS TO SEA-TAC. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency announced the expansion of its Global Entry program from seven to 20 U.S. airports, including Sea-Tac International. The program allows expedited clearance of pre-approved, low-risk travelers into the U.S. including returning citizens. |
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AMTRAK CASCADES TRAIN SERVICE BEGINS BETWEEN SEATTLE AND VANCOUVER, B.C. The Canadian government approved second train service as a pilot project to support 2010 Olympic and Paralympics Winter Games traffic. The Washington State Department of Transportation worked with Amtrak, BNSF Railway, U.S. Customs and others to speed operation of the new service. Click here for more... |
SEATTLE'S 2008 MARKET RESEARCH REFLECTS
GLOBAL RECESSION
Following five years of year-over-year growth, Seattle's annual visitor volumes leveled in 2008 amid economic downturn and soft travel worldwide. According to SCVB's Market Profile and Economic Impact of Seattle-King County Visitors, compiled annually for SCVB by CIC Research, Inc., there were 9.3 million overnight visitors in the city and county in 2008, down modestly by 1.6 percent from 2007. These visitors spent $5.14 billion throughout the county, down 0.4 percent. "The steep and prolonged decline in travel and tourism is painful," said Skip Hull of CIC Research, Inc. "But the local industry has continued to outperform many other prominent U.S. destinations in terms of lodging sales, air passenger arrival counts and visitor volume." |
ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION
Issue 9: August 2009
Also available online: visitseattle.org/news
Seattle Metronatural News is a quarterly tourism industry newsletter that is edited and published by Seattle's Convention and Visitors Bureau. |
COMMENTS
Like what you see? Something missing? Feel free to comment or request copies of this newsletter via email: newsletter@visitseattle.org.
WANT TO JOIN US AS A MEMBER?
Email Janet Christopher or call (206) 461-5841. |
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Seattle's Convention and Visitors Bureau
One Convention Place ][ 701 Pike St ][ Suite 800 ][ Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 461-5800 ][ www.visitseattle.org |
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