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NORTHWEST WASHINGTON
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Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism
904 Potter St., Bellingham, WA 98229
(360) 671-3990
www.bellingham.org
Whidbey & Camano Islands Tourism
Island County, Washington
P.O. Box 189, Clinton, WA 98236
(360) 929-6871
www.WhidbeyCamanoIslands.com
State of the Industry
Bellingham and Whatcom County feature natural scenery, hiking, skiing and snowboarding at Mt. Baker, a wealth of culture, charming villages and waterfront adventures like whale watching. Bellingham is also the closest U.S. destination to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, B.C.
Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism is a local non-profit association dedicated to serving visitors. The bureau has 340 members representing a variety of tourism and community-related businesses throughout Bellingham, Birch Bay, Blaine, Everson/Nooksack, Ferndale, Historic Fairhaven District, Lynden, Lummi Island, the Mt. Baker Corridor, Point Roberts, Sumas and Whatcom County.
Tourism is a major industry for Whidbey and Camano Islands, supporting approximately 1,600 existing companies and Stimulating new business development and investment through direct trip expenditures and real estate sales.
Tourism by the Numbers
Whatcom County
Visitor Expenditures $453.7 million
Taxes Paid by Visitors $32.3 million
Jobs Generated by Tourism 6,820
Island County
Visitor Expenditures $129.9 million
Taxes Paid by Visitors $9.3 million
Jobs Generated by Tourism 2,340
Source:
Washington State Travel Impacts, 1991-2008p
Washington State Community, Trade and Economic Development Tourism Office/
Dean Runyan Associates
Tourism Trends
Island County's parks, marinas and ferries attract tourism dollars to rural businesses and work together to maximize economic benefit.
Deception Pass State Park attracts more than 2 million visitors each year. Fort Casey and Admiralty Head Lighthouse draw visitors who patronize lodges, restaurants, and shops throughout Central and North Whidbey. Keystone Underwater State Park attracts divers from all over the world who stay overnight. Fort Casey and Fort Ebey represent more than 1 million discreet visitors to Whidbey Island. Parks on Camano Island are key tourist attractions that bring significant revenue to local artists and related guest services.
Island County Marinas are key attractions for nautical enthusiasts, generate overnight stays and sustain major annual events such as Race Week and the Water Festival. The Clinton-Mukilteo ferry has the third-highest ridership in the Washington State Ferry system and the Keystone-Port Townsend ferry connects visitors to the Olympic Peninsula.
Tourism Industry Issues
The Fort Casey and Fort Ebey park closure threats are a major concern for Island County tourism leaders. Closures of these parks would have direct, long-lasting negative impacts on Whidbey Island communities. Their closures, in connection with additional park reductions, would negatively affect surrounding communities such as Pt. Townsend and Anacortes, not to mention Island County as a whole.
Washington State Travel Impacts, 1991-2008p, which prepared by Dean Runyan Associates for the Washington State Community, Trade and Economic Development Tourism Office, provides more detailed tourism data by county. To learn more about the state's impact on travel in Washington State, download this pdf >>
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For more information about Seattle's Convention and Visitors Bureau, click here >>
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