Visitor Stats and Industry Facts

Washington’s Travel Industry Creates Jobs

Total employment directly generated by travel spending in the state was 143,800 in 2010, and travel spending generated $4.3 billion in earnings (payroll).

Rural Washington Highly Dependent on Visitor Spending

Many of Washington’s less populated counties have a greater number of travel-generated jobs in relation to total employment, making those counties more dependent on the travel industry. In 2009, the six counties with more than 10 percent travel-generated jobs were all non-urban. Further, the 14 counties with more than six percent travel-generated jobs were also non-urban. Travel spending generates more than 15 percent of local sales and lodging taxes in eight counties, all of which are non-urban.

Tourism Generates Tax Benefits that Fund Vital Government Programs

In 2010, travel spending in Washington generated nearly $1 billion ($992 million) in local and state tax revenues. On a household level, visitors from outside Washington (residents of other states or countries) generated $240 of tax revenue for each Washington household and resident travel within the state generated an additional $145 of tax revenue per household.

Additional report findings include:

• There were an estimated 5.66 million domestic air passenger arrivals to Washington in 2010.
• International visitors accounted for $1.5 billion in visitor spending in 2010.
• Residents from other states accounted for $6.8 billion in visitor spending in Washington in 2010.
• Visitors who stayed overnight in commercial lodging (hotels, motels, resorts, and bed and breakfasts) spent $6.5 billion in 2010.  

Seattle Southside Travel Impacts 2011
This study, prepared for Seattle Southside Visitor Services, documents the economic significance of the travel industry in the Seattle Southside area of King County from 2003 through 2011.

Washington State Travel Impacts 2010
This study, prepared for Washington State, documents the economic significance of the travel industry from 1991 through 2010.

Washington State County Travel Impacts 2009
This study, prepared for Washington State, documents the economic significance of the travel industry by county from 1991 through 2009.

Power of Destination Marketing
From U.S. Travel Association and Longwoods International this report documents through research the financial value of successful destination marketing campaigns. Michigan and Philadelphia are used as case studies.

Power of Tourism Promotion
This report from U.S. Travel proves travel promotion is one of the best investments a state or local government can make. Travel promotion increases visitation, drives tax revenues and creates new jobs.