Tourism bill still moving, gets big appropriation boost

SB 5251, Sen. Dean Takko (D-Kelso), continues to make its way through the Legislature and received a boost of support with an additional appropriation in the Senate’s budget bill. The 2017-2019 operating budget appropriated $500,000 for a Washington Tourism Authority to pursue a statewide tourism marketing program. The Senate is now recommending $1.5 million in its supplemental budget for the program. While this amount has not been matched in the published House budget, there are indications the House amended their budget to reflect the Senate dollar amount.

This is a big victory for the tourism industry in Washington, which has not seen a state-funded tourism office in many years. Washington is one of the only states in the nation that does not have a state- funded tourism authority.

AWC supports this legislation, which would help cities implement economic development goals.

Budget leaders begin negotiations on the budget soon and will ultimately decide what – if any – monies are appropriated towards tourism in Washington.