Tour Company
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Tri-Cities Visitor & Convention Bureau • 6951 W. Grandridge Blvd. • Kennewick, WA 99336 • 509.735.8486 • 800.254.5824 • www.VisitTri-Cities.com
Journal of Business Year in Review
Tourism Means Business The Tri-Cities Visitor & Convention Bureau coordinates a variety of programs designed to expand tourism and to position the TriCities within chosen markets, including Convention and Sports Sales; Media Outreach; Eco and Heritage Tourism; Wine & Culinary Tourism, and the Tri-Cities Rivershore Enhancement Council. Together, the Bureau and our industry partners are making great strides toward realizing a vision of the Tri-Cities as the premier tourism and convention destination in eastern Washington. And the Travel and Tourism industry is important for a community because: • New and improved community services are funded partly by the purchases and tax revenues generated by travelers. • Travelers pay for our nation’s protection--because with their money, communities are able to hire more police officers and fire fighters. • Travelers help keep our citizens well--because the taxes they generate help improve medical services. • Travelers help keep our country’s infrastructure strong--because without those tourist dollars, many would not be able to stay in business. Did you know that each U.S. household would pay $898 more in taxes without the tax revenue generated by the Travel and Tourism Industry? ~ Travel Industry Association of America, www.tia.org. Visitor Spending Worth Millions During 2004 (latest figures available from the Washington State Department of Community Trade & Economic Development) visitor spending grew to more than $277.8 million in Benton and Franklin counties alone. These are millions of dollars in direct spending that create local employment (3,950 jobs) and generate additional tax revenues ($21.7 million in state and local taxes.) This represents a ‘tax shift’ because taxes paid by visitors are retained and used by local jurisdictions for our citizen’s benefit. Tourism also contributes in other meaningful ways, such as expanding our shopping, cultural, recreation and entertainment opportunities. And what a difference a year can make. During 2005, long-sought tourism initiatives were finalized or begun that will significantly impact the future of Tri-Cities tourism. These were: 1) Lowering levees and improving shoreline paths along the Sacagawea Heritage Trail. 2) Implementation of the Tourism Promotion Area (TPA) assessment which nearly doubled guest room bookings during 2005. 3) Bicentennial events including Lewis & Clark Heritage Days, “Down the Great Columbia” and National Park Service exhibits. 4) Expansion and improvements at Sacajawea State Park and Interpretive Center. 5) Red Mountain Viticultural Area master planning. 6) Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail designation, planning and signage. These actions alone are generating new visitor spending for local businesses, expanding the community’s marketing efforts, and allowing our citizens to reconnect with their waterfronts. Tourism Construction & New Businesses Boomed During 2005, tourism-related construction boomed within the Tri-Cities. The Best Western Pasco Inn and Suites, and Lionsgate Bed & Breakfast and Wedding Chapel opened; and construction began on Kennewick’s Wingate Inn. New restaurants such as Nothing but Noodles, The Whole Ten Yards, Kimo’s, and Fiesta were opened. And construction began on Bonefish Grill in Richland, and 3 Margaritas in Kennewick. In addition, Tagaris opened their Greek-style taverna and winery; Cowan Vineyards opened their new tasting room; and Kiona Vineyards broke ground on a new wine tasting room. East Benton County Museum created a new “Kennewick Man” exhibit; and the City of Richland completed the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Overlook above Bateman Island. The Port of Kennewick began construction on a boardwalk trail around Clover Island. The Port of Pasco completed a trail linkage to Sacajawea State Park. Kennewick and Pasco lowered the levee and made trail improvements between the blue and cable bridges.
And TRE LLC extended the Richland Riverfront Trail through the Port of Benton—some of the last undeveloped shoreline property in the Tri-Cities. And in recognition of the growing interest in our wine industry, a number of new companies began offering specialized wine tour packages including Luxury Limousine, Sunset Coach Tours, SUV Tours, and Three Rivers Wine Tours. Tourism Marketing Expanded With TPA funding, the Bureau added new sales staff and expanded our convention and sports marketing efforts. Indeed, in partnership with TRAC, the Three Rivers Convention Center, Toyota Center, hotels, and event facilities—we are helping the TriCities take center stage in the national and regional meetings market. In fact, our facilities and amenities are drawing attendees from around the country, and will ensure a continual stream of visitor dollars for local businesses--advertising companies, accountants, florists, retailers, travel agents, banks, restaurants, hotels, and wineries among many others. This money is critical as the Tri-Cities seeks to grow existing business and diversify its economy. Equally important, is the fact that business leaders and CEOs attending conventions have an opportunity to discover the advantages our community offers for business expansion or relocation. For example, the Tri-Cities is hosting some very prestigious groups which include the International Actinide Chemistry Conference coming to the Tri-Cities in 2009; Rotary’s 5080 2007 District Convention which includes all of eastern Washington, Idaho & British Columbia; and Rotary’s 5030 District Conference for 2008, which will bring in 700 Rotarians from Seattle, Mercer Island & Bellevue. And this is just a small sample of the groups that are choosing the Tri-Cities. The Bureau also works to create Tri-Cities awareness through advertising, online marketing, consumer travel shows, event promotion, and our work with trade and travel media. In 2005, we revamped our website which was used to assist more than 221,000 visitors. We coordinated Lewis and Clark Bicentennial commemoration activities for the community. And we attended the LA Times Travel Show and participated in a California media blitz meeting with targeted journalists to encourage stories on our region. In 2006 staff will be participating in the Seattle Travel Show, and several consumer golf shows; and we will be meeting with targeted media in New York to expand awareness of the Tri-Cities as a destination of choice. And, many of the writers will be invited to visit the Tri-Cities to experience our destination first hand to learn about our attractions, events, history, Hanford Reach, and to visit the Tri-Cities—the Heart of Washington’s Wine Country! The wine industry is a large segment of our tourism portfolio and has experienced rapid growth and its reputation for producing quality wines will continue to bolster the local economy as well as attract a growing number of tourists. We believe that completion of Prosser’s Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center, development of the Red Mountain Viticultural Area, and continued growth of our Columbia Valley Wineries will truly position our region as an international wine destination. And in 2006, the Bureau is assigning staff to specifically focus on developing the wine & culinary tourism market. We will also remain committed to shoreline enhancement, since it is our rivers that set apart from our competition. Indeed, 2006 should bring completion of the 23 miles Sacagawea Heritage Trail connecting our community with the Columbia River. We also anticipate growth of the group tour market and look forward to welcoming additional cruise boat passengers. And, we look forward to adding future projects such as the Hanford Reach Interpretive Center at Columbia Point and the Maya Lin artwork at Sacajawea State Park to our tourism portfolio. And, while these projects are exciting opportunities for growth, we are mindful that our marketplace has become increasingly competitive. Within the past five years, 525 new hotel rooms were added to the Tri-Cities inventory. And although the Tri-Cities travel industry experienced growth in 2005, the business was spread across more players; with many hotels actually experiencing reduced occupancies. In addition, competing cities have built or expanded convention centers, and surrounding communities are becoming more sophisticated and aggressive in marketing their destinations. The good news is we are one of the regions that have become very aggressive in marketing. And I believe, with the additional TPA funds and the growth of our tourism infrastructure, the Tri-Cities is poised to become a destination of choice for meetings, sports tournaments and leisure travel. In fact, one look at the new hotels, restaurants, wineries, and river activities and you can tell that tourism is more than rest and relaxation; it has become a cornerstone of our economy—providing new jobs, new dollars, and new tax revenues. Assuredly, the Tri-Cities hospitality industry has big challenges ahead of us to off set declines in government travel, but we are an industry that is united in our marketing efforts and a good example of how businesses can cluster together for the better of the whole. In 2006, we will be working with our community partners to develop a brand for our region, help develop wine tourism, book at least 80,000 guest rooms out of our office and continue to add and enhance the product that is the Tri-Cities. Rest assured, the resources that we, and our partners in business, government and hospitality put into tourism infrastructure, convention & sports marketing, river shore enhancement, and heritage tourism will pay us back many times over. By working together, the tourism industry will
continue to grow. And as a result, will create a quality of life and economic diversity that will help sustain our future. *** For more information on the Tri-Cities Visitor & Convention Bureau’s tourism programs contact Kris Watkins, President & CEO at 509-735-8486 or visit the Bureau’s website at www.VisitTri-Cities.com.
Journal of Business Year in Review
Tourism Means Business The Tri-Cities Visitor & Convention Bureau coordinates a variety of programs designed to expand tourism and to position the TriCities within chosen markets, including Convention and Sports Sales; Media Outreach; Eco and Heritage Tourism; Wine & Culinary Tourism, and the Tri-Cities Rivershore Enhancement Council. Together, the Bureau and our industry partners are making great strides toward realizing a vision of the Tri-Cities as the premier tourism and convention destination in eastern Washington. And the Travel and Tourism industry is important for a community because: • New and improved community services are funded partly by the purchases and tax revenues generated by travelers. • Travelers pay for our nation’s protection--because with their money, communities are able to hire more police officers and fire fighters. • Travelers help keep our citizens well--because the taxes they generate help improve medical services. • Travelers help keep our country’s infrastructure strong--because without those tourist dollars, many would not be able to stay in business. Did you know that each U.S. household would pay $898 more in taxes without the tax revenue generated by the Travel and Tourism Industry? ~ Travel Industry Association of America, www.tia.org. Visitor Spending Worth Millions During 2004 (latest figures available from the Washington State Department of Community Trade & Economic Development) visitor spending grew to more than $277.8 million in Benton and Franklin counties alone. These are millions of dollars in direct spending that create local employment (3,950 jobs) and generate additional tax revenues ($21.7 million in state and local taxes.) This represents a ‘tax shift’ because taxes paid by visitors are retained and used by local jurisdictions for our citizen’s benefit. Tourism also contributes in other meaningful ways, such as expanding our shopping, cultural, recreation and entertainment opportunities. And what a difference a year can make. During 2005, long-sought tourism initiatives were finalized or begun that will significantly impact the future of Tri-Cities tourism. These were: 1) Lowering levees and improving shoreline paths along the Sacagawea Heritage Trail. 2) Implementation of the Tourism Promotion Area (TPA) assessment which nearly doubled guest room bookings during 2005. 3) Bicentennial events including Lewis & Clark Heritage Days, “Down the Great Columbia” and National Park Service exhibits. 4) Expansion and improvements at Sacajawea State Park and Interpretive Center. 5) Red Mountain Viticultural Area master planning. 6) Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail designation, planning and signage. These actions alone are generating new visitor spending for local businesses, expanding the community’s marketing efforts, and allowing our citizens to reconnect with their waterfronts. Tourism Construction & New Businesses Boomed During 2005, tourism-related construction boomed within the Tri-Cities. The Best Western Pasco Inn and Suites, and Lionsgate Bed & Breakfast and Wedding Chapel opened; and construction began on Kennewick’s Wingate Inn. New restaurants such as Nothing but Noodles, The Whole Ten Yards, Kimo’s, and Fiesta were opened. And construction began on Bonefish Grill in Richland, and 3 Margaritas in Kennewick. In addition, Tagaris opened their Greek-style taverna and winery; Cowan Vineyards opened their new tasting room; and Kiona Vineyards broke ground on a new wine tasting room. East Benton County Museum created a new “Kennewick Man” exhibit; and the City of Richland completed the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Overlook above Bateman Island. The Port of Kennewick began construction on a boardwalk trail around Clover Island. The Port of Pasco completed a trail linkage to Sacajawea State Park. Kennewick and Pasco lowered the levee and made trail improvements between the blue and cable bridges.
And TRE LLC extended the Richland Riverfront Trail through the Port of Benton—some of the last undeveloped shoreline property in the Tri-Cities. And in recognition of the growing interest in our wine industry, a number of new companies began offering specialized wine tour packages including Luxury Limousine, Sunset Coach Tours, SUV Tours, and Three Rivers Wine Tours. Tourism Marketing Expanded With TPA funding, the Bureau added new sales staff and expanded our convention and sports marketing efforts. Indeed, in partnership with TRAC, the Three Rivers Convention Center, Toyota Center, hotels, and event facilities—we are helping the TriCities take center stage in the national and regional meetings market. In fact, our facilities and amenities are drawing attendees from around the country, and will ensure a continual stream of visitor dollars for local businesses--advertising companies, accountants, florists, retailers, travel agents, banks, restaurants, hotels, and wineries among many others. This money is critical as the Tri-Cities seeks to grow existing business and diversify its economy. Equally important, is the fact that business leaders and CEOs attending conventions have an opportunity to discover the advantages our community offers for business expansion or relocation. For example, the Tri-Cities is hosting some very prestigious groups which include the International Actinide Chemistry Conference coming to the Tri-Cities in 2009; Rotary’s 5080 2007 District Convention which includes all of eastern Washington, Idaho & British Columbia; and Rotary’s 5030 District Conference for 2008, which will bring in 700 Rotarians from Seattle, Mercer Island & Bellevue. And this is just a small sample of the groups that are choosing the Tri-Cities. The Bureau also works to create Tri-Cities awareness through advertising, online marketing, consumer travel shows, event promotion, and our work with trade and travel media. In 2005, we revamped our website which was used to assist more than 221,000 visitors. We coordinated Lewis and Clark Bicentennial commemoration activities for the community. And we attended the LA Times Travel Show and participated in a California media blitz meeting with targeted journalists to encourage stories on our region. In 2006 staff will be participating in the Seattle Travel Show, and several consumer golf shows; and we will be meeting with targeted media in New York to expand awareness of the Tri-Cities as a destination of choice. And, many of the writers will be invited to visit the Tri-Cities to experience our destination first hand to learn about our attractions, events, history, Hanford Reach, and to visit the Tri-Cities—the Heart of Washington’s Wine Country! The wine industry is a large segment of our tourism portfolio and has experienced rapid growth and its reputation for producing quality wines will continue to bolster the local economy as well as attract a growing number of tourists. We believe that completion of Prosser’s Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center, development of the Red Mountain Viticultural Area, and continued growth of our Columbia Valley Wineries will truly position our region as an international wine destination. And in 2006, the Bureau is assigning staff to specifically focus on developing the wine & culinary tourism market. We will also remain committed to shoreline enhancement, since it is our rivers that set apart from our competition. Indeed, 2006 should bring completion of the 23 miles Sacagawea Heritage Trail connecting our community with the Columbia River. We also anticipate growth of the group tour market and look forward to welcoming additional cruise boat passengers. And, we look forward to adding future projects such as the Hanford Reach Interpretive Center at Columbia Point and the Maya Lin artwork at Sacajawea State Park to our tourism portfolio. And, while these projects are exciting opportunities for growth, we are mindful that our marketplace has become increasingly competitive. Within the past five years, 525 new hotel rooms were added to the Tri-Cities inventory. And although the Tri-Cities travel industry experienced growth in 2005, the business was spread across more players; with many hotels actually experiencing reduced occupancies. In addition, competing cities have built or expanded convention centers, and surrounding communities are becoming more sophisticated and aggressive in marketing their destinations. The good news is we are one of the regions that have become very aggressive in marketing. And I believe, with the additional TPA funds and the growth of our tourism infrastructure, the Tri-Cities is poised to become a destination of choice for meetings, sports tournaments and leisure travel. In fact, one look at the new hotels, restaurants, wineries, and river activities and you can tell that tourism is more than rest and relaxation; it has become a cornerstone of our economy—providing new jobs, new dollars, and new tax revenues. Assuredly, the Tri-Cities hospitality industry has big challenges ahead of us to off set declines in government travel, but we are an industry that is united in our marketing efforts and a good example of how businesses can cluster together for the better of the whole. In 2006, we will be working with our community partners to develop a brand for our region, help develop wine tourism, book at least 80,000 guest rooms out of our office and continue to add and enhance the product that is the Tri-Cities. Rest assured, the resources that we, and our partners in business, government and hospitality put into tourism infrastructure, convention & sports marketing, river shore enhancement, and heritage tourism will pay us back many times over. By working together, the tourism industry will
continue to grow. And as a result, will create a quality of life and economic diversity that will help sustain our future. *** For more information on the Tri-Cities Visitor & Convention Bureau’s tourism programs contact Kris Watkins, President & CEO at 509-735-8486 or visit the Bureau’s website at www.VisitTri-Cities.com.
