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Tourism Development

The following information is available to help build awareness of the Port of Seattle's efforts in international tourism:

• Background
• Mission
• Quick & Fun Facts About International Tourism
• Interesting Trivia
• International Tourism Facts Closer to Home

Click here for more information on local and regional travel and tourism details.

Background

The Port of Seattle promotes international tourism to Seattle and Washington state because tourism contributes to the regional economy.

Our tourism group establishes alliances and partnerships to create and oversee a joint plan for international tourism promotion to our state as well as the region. Our partners include:

• Washington State Tourism Office
• Seattle Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Private-sector travel industry companies such as the Victoria Clipper, The Space Needle, hotels and many other attractions in Washington state and throughout the region

Tourism efforts include regional promotion. Partners include public and private sector companies in British Columbia and Oregon.

Mission

Tourism's primary goal is to develop a partnership to promote our city, state and region as an international tourism destination, and to enhance community commitment to this effort. Partnerships include, but are not limited to, the Seattle Convention & Visitors Bureau, Washington State Tourism office and private and public partnerships throughout Washington, Oregon and British Columbia. The Port's program is a focused, target marketing effort to increase visitation to the region from the primary markets of the United Kingdom, France and Japan.

Quick & Fun Facts About International Tourism

• Overseas arrivals totaled 20.3 million, up 13 percent from 2003. Total travel receipts were $75.4 billion.
• Arrivals from the United Kingdom totaled 4.3 million in 2004, up 9 percent from 2003. The U.K. remains the top overseas market for the U.S. in both arrivals and total travel receipts, which registered a record $12.8 billion.
• Arrivals from Asia were up 16 percent for 2004. Japanese visitors accoundted for 65 percent of all Asian visitors, with total travel receipts of $12.4 billion.
• Among the top 25 arrivals markets, Ireland and India set new arrival records, exceeding previous records set in 200, by 21 percent and 13 percent, respectively.
• More than 46 million international visitors traveled to the U.S. in 2004, an increase of 12 percent from 2003.

Source: Travel Industry of America

Interesting Trivia

Average number of vacation days around the world:

Italy	42 days
France	37 days
Germany	35 days
Brazil	34 days
United Kingdom	28 days
Canada	26 days
Korea	25 days
Japan	25 days
United States	13 days