State of Washington Tourism

We're excited to announce that our Skagit Valley and Whidbey Island installment of our True to Nature series won a bronze award in the Internet Commercial category at AdFed's The Show 2025 in Minneapolis. Special thanks to Rise and Shine and Partners (formerly Adventure?). Watch the video here: https://lnkd.in/gbmx4wvQ

Washington State was featured among other destinations along the Great American Rail-Trail in National Geographic as a result of a media visit by writer Mike MacEacheran in 2022. Destinations mentioned include: Fall City, Snoqualmie, Olympic National Park, Port Townsend, and the Cascade range. See the story here: https://lnkd.in/gcZuf-nS

Join us on Thursday, March 27, at 10 a.m. for a Tourism Skillshop on Placemaking. Hear from tourism scholars and consultants Derek Schimmel and Amy Cassidy about how to inventory and assess tourism product in destination communities, engage with stakeholders, and promote these communities according to intrinsic qualities. Register here: https://bit.ly/4in63Kt

The deadline for the Rural Tourism Support (RTS) Program and Technical Assistance grant applications are just a few days away! See details below.

Organizations can reach new audiences and direct high-value traffic to their websites through sponsored content and display ads on?stateofWAtourism.com. Sponsored placements in our monthly consumer newsletter are also available to reach existing audiences for statewide tourism. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3HQb9Ps

We're excited to announce that recipients have been selected and awarded funding for two?Tourism and Development grants. The?Rural Tourism Marketing and Production Grant?awarded a total of $355,000 to 22 grantees to produce photos, videos, and written content that can be used for marketing underserved communities. See awardees here: https://bit.ly/49pqHVM The?Sports Incentivization Grant?awarded $115,500 to help bring six new tournaments or competitions to destinations in Washington. See awardees here: https://bit.ly/49BNLki

Last summer, writer Kristen Richards attended a SWT FAM trip in Eastern, WA. Check out her recent article in Sip Magazine: 48 Hours in Spokane, Washington. https://bit.ly/3WRCdpk

SWT is currently offering several different marketing co-ops for our partners. These subsidize the costs of marketing programs allowing tourism stakeholders to maximize their budget and align with statewide efforts reach new travelers. See all available co-ops here: https://bit.ly/3CRnAeZ

There are only a few days left to apply for the Indigenous Marketing and Production Grants. These are intended to help Native communities Indigenous to Washington State create the photo, video, and written content they need to promote their destination to travelers. See more and apply here: https://bit.ly/4alYfoh

Applications for the Rural Tourism Support (RTS) Program and Technical Assistance Grants are now open through mid-March. The RTS program focuses on long-term, sustainable destination development for underserved communities. It implements a community tourism approach that includes stakeholder surveys, community workshops, priority projects, and strategic planning. Learn more and apply: https://bit.ly/498AJds The Technical Assistance Grant will subsidize the cost of industry-specific expertise for tourism-related projects that stimulate economic development for destination communities. Eligible projects for grant funding may include design plans for tourism infrastructure, workforce training programs, and other consulting services. Learn more and apply: https://bit.ly/3VFyPxQ