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TACOMA AND PIERCE COUNTY
where ART + NATURE meet
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Tacoma Regional Convention + Visitors Bureau
1119 Pacific Ave., Suite 1400,
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 627-2836 / Fax (253) 627-8783
www.traveltacoma.com
State of the Industry
The communities of Pierce County have successfully combined their rare mixture of natural and cultural attractions to form a hotspot for visitors. Pierce County is the proud home of the glaciers of Mount Rainier, glass culture of Tacoma, outdoor public art in Puyallup, the Rhubarb Pie Capital of the World in Sumner, parks and performing arts in Fife, Lakewood's beautiful gardens and outdoor scenery and Gig Harbor’s charming maritime community.
Arts are a large component of the tourism industry in Tacoma and Pierce County. Though much of Tacoma's arts infrastructure has been born of philanthropy and the support of the community, it is sustained in large part by increasing numbers of tourists. Tourism supports the arts, which not only helps the community sustainably reinvest in itself, but also means that residents don't have to carry the entire burden of cost to support the arts. Moreover, businesses are taking notice of this attractive environment.
Tacoma's downtown Museum District is formed by six major museums and has transformed the region into a mecca for cultural tourists. It is a distinct and impressive district showcasing some of the world’s best collections and unique artwork. Discover creative culture, exquisite glass, timeless history, classic automobiles, family fun and maritime heritage. Anchored by the triangle of the Museum of Glass [and adjoining Chihuly Bridge of Glass], Tacoma Art Museum and Washington State History Museum, the district includes the brand new LeMay—America’s Car Museum, Children’s Museum of Tacoma and Foss Waterway Seaport.
Cultural- and ecotourism are part of the allure for meeting planners. The Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center is a state-of-the-art "green" building with more than 119,000 square feet of meeting space, and properties like Hotel Murano (recently ranked #17 in the US by Condé Nast Traveler) and the iconic Tacoma Dome routinely fill their space with events that draw large groups. And increasingly, visitors are coming not just by car or plane, but by rail and boat. In fact, Tacoma's own Dock Street Marina is a leading destination marina on the Puget Sound, signaling a shift in public perception of Tacoma as a world-class destination.
Tourism by the Numbers
Pierce County
Visitor Spending - $887 million
Local Taxes Paid by Visitors - $20.3 million local
State Taxes Paid by Visitors - $46.5 million state
Jobs Generated by Tourism - 10,060
Source:
Washington State Travel Impacts, 1991-2011p — Dean Runyan Associates
Tourism Trends
Visitors to Pierce County seek authentic experiences that are unique, diverse and customizable. They want to make deeper discoveries within a destination to learn and connect with, creating experiential travel. Visitors seek adventures that creatively blend urban sophistication and outdoor exploration, making Pierce County the ideal destination.
Travelers are interested in multi-generational trips, culinary and wine tours, family travel, women-only and men-only explorations, cultural travel, adventure travel and trips for spectator sports.
Pierce County can accommodate a wide variety of tourists. Geotourists explore the natural wonders of Mount Rainier, Puget Sound's open waters and the numerous parks throughout the cities. Art aficionados delight in the wide variety of museums, performing arts centers and public art in the region. Echo-boomers, the nation's largest generation, embrace their "Do Everything Spirit" while enjoying an abundance of cultural and historic activities, adventure, relaxation, shopping, dining and spas. Agritourists enjoy authentic interactions with farmers, growers and chefs and discover the region's geographically distinctive food and drink.
Tourism Industry Issues
The tourism industry significantly contributes to Tacoma and Pierce County's economic development. It generates thousands of jobs, delivers visitor spending to the region and enhances the quality of life for local residents. Infrastructure development, combined with continued and increased funding for destination marketing, is critical to the maintenance and growth of the tourism industry.
Pierce County requires additional hotels and improved transportation to meet the needs of regional visitors. Furthermore, it's essential that destination marketing organizations are adequately funded to promote the region and drive visitor spending dollars to the local economy.
Finally, strategic public/private partnerships with strong leadership and collaboration are required to sustain and enhance the tourism industry for both Pierce County and the state of Washington.
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Washington State Travel Impacts, 1991-2008p, which prepared by Dean Runyan Associates for the Washington State Community, Trade and Economic Development Tourism Office, provides more detailed tourism data by county. To learn more about the state's impact on travel in Washington State, download this pdf >>
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