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Mayor Proclaims Today "Tourism Day in Seattle"
Hundreds to Attend Rally in Westlake Park, Raise a Flag atop the Space Needle, Award the 2009 Tourism Ambassador of the Year – and Urge Governor to Veto Portions of State Budget
May 12, 2009
SEATTLE, WASH. — Today hundreds of Seattle area tourism industry professionals will hold a rally in Westlake Park to celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week, Tourism Day in Seattle and the first anniversary of the Why Tourism Matters community outreach campaign which began in Seattle, spread across Washington State and has inspired national tourism advocacy efforts in a year that desperately needs them.
Seattle's rally is expected to be one of the largest among those in 40 other U.S. cities. The combined national effort is in celebration of tourism, but also in defence of an industry that battles the down economy amid health concerns such as Swine Flu and harmful political rhetoric against corporate travel "junkets" that is cancelling legitimate meetings nationwide.
Seattle's Tourism Day begins with a flag-raising ceremony on top of the Space Needle and features a rally in Westlake Park in downtown Seattle from Noon to 1 p.m. Tourism industry workers will attend, as will many others who care about the economic development stimulated by tourism. A proclamation from Mayor Greg Nickels will be read and the local tourism industry will present the 2009 Seattle Tourism Ambassador of the Year Award to a frontline tourism professional who has exhibited exceptional service during the past year.
Seattle tourism officials will also use the rally as a platform to urge Governor Gregoire to veto certain sections and appropriations of the Washington State 2009-2011 Biennial Budget that, if passed, would severely harm the state tourism industry. The budget calls for a 67 percent
reduction in funding of the state tourism program and the Washington State Tourism Commission, which would make Washington's tourism program one of the poorest in the nation.
"This day and this week should be nothing but a celebration of tourism in Seattle and other communities across the state," said Tom Norwalk, President & CEO of Seattle's Convention and Visitors Bureau. "However, despite our local, state and national efforts to protect basic funding and future growth of tourism programs that provide economic benefit, tax stimulation and job creation here at home, Washington is in danger of losing its competitive marketing position."
National Travel and Tourism Week 2009, which runs through May 17, is themed "Travel Matters" by the U.S. Travel Association, drawing inspiration from the Why Tourism Matters nonprofit public outreach campaign which began in Seattle during tourism week last year. The campaign, which showcases "Tourism Ambassadors" from the industry's front lines, has since grown to include convention and visitors bureaus from across Washington State.
Seattle's Convention and Visitors Bureau is a non-profit economic development agency responsible for competitively marketing Seattle as a destination for meeting and convention groups and leisure travelers. As a membership-based organization, SCVB connects more than 800 local businesses with the lucrative visitor market. SCVB works with other convention and visitor bureaus, the Washington State Tourism Commission and Washington State Tourism office to jointly position the state as a premier travel destination.
About the Why Tourism Matters Campaign:
The nonprofit public outreach campaign educates and engages Seattle and Washington State citizens about the importance of the tourism industry. The program's web site features the latest tourism statistics for Seattle and many communities throughout Washington State, as well as industry news and links to national initiatives. Visit www.whytourismmatters.com to learn more.
About Tourism in Seattle and King County:
Some 9.5 million visitors spend $5.16 billion in Seattle and King County annually, contributing $468 million in state and local tax revenues. Direct visitor spending benefits hotels, retailers, restaurants and other businesses and supports jobs for 63,000 people in the Seattle region.
About Tourism in Washington State:
Visitors to the state spent $15.7 billion here last year and generated $1 billion in state and local taxes. Tourists support nearly 150,000 jobs and generate $4.3 billion in earnings.
About Tourism in the U.S.:
The $740 billion travel and tourism industry ranks fifth in nation among 20 major private industry sectors. The industry directly employees 7.5 million people, generates payroll of $178 billion and tax revenues of about $110 billion.
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