Tourism Bureau Releases 2006 Annual Report
1/22/2007

2006 was a year of success for Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism, the organization charged with marketing the county as a visitor and convention destination.

According to its just released Annual Report, the organization reports that its efforts in 2006 resulted in $7.34 million in visitor spending and media exposure through conventions, groups and visitors attracted and served." I am pleased with the efforts of the organization this past year to bring visitors to town," stated John Cooper, President and CEO of the organization. "Tourism is an important part of the economy and culture of our region."

Among the highlights of the organization’s efforts in 2006:

•The bureau contacted 669 groups and associations to bring their conferences to town. In total, the bureau tracked 4,462 room nights that resulted from its sales efforts.

•Best Buys, an off-season, discount lodging reservation program, generated 3,957 room nights, resulting in an estimated $798,087 in visitor spending. This is a 15% increase in lodging reservations compared to 2005.

•As a result of bureau efforts, more than 157 media outlets featured travel related stories about the region, valued in excess of $849,892. Publications included USA Today, The Vancouver Sun, The Washington Post and Northwest Woman Magazine.

•The organization served 45,665 people through its visitor services, phone and e-mail. The bureau website had 507,272 unique visitors, an increase of 40% compared to 2005.

Tourism is a $396 million industry for Whatcom County, creating 6,650 jobs for residents. The county ranks fifth in the state in terms of visitor spending.

Access the 2006 Annual Report.