FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 14, 2019

MEDIA CONTACT:
Sandy Ward, Director of Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism
sandy@bellingham.org
(360) 671-3990 x 209

Visitor Spending in Whatcom County Totaled $705.7 Million in 2018 and Ranks 5th in Washington State After King, Pierce, Spokane, and Snohomish Counties

Travel spending reached the $24.4 billion mark in 2018 in the State of Washington - this according to the Washington Tourism Alliance who recently released new tourism economic impact figures for all 39 counties. Data was compiled by Dean Runyan Associates. Whatcom County ranks 5th in the state in terms of visitor spending after King, Pierce, Spokane, and Snohomish Counties. Visitors spent $705.7* million in Whatcom County in 2018. Visitor Spending in Whatcom County:

Food Service (restaurants and grocery stores
- $277.3 million
Retail
- $102.1 million
Air and ground travel
- $96.0 million
Accommodations
- $90.0 million
Recreation, arts & entertainment
- $ 72.3 million
Transportation & gas
- $67.9 million
Total
- $705.7 million

Tourism in Whatcom County Generates:

Jobs
- 6,910
Payroll
- $174.9 million
Local Taxes
- $17.9 million
State Taxes
- $40.1 million

Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism is the official Destination Marketing Organization for Whatcom County, and participates actively with Washington Tourism Alliance. Visitor information is at Bellingham.org.

We acknowledge that Whatcom County is located on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples. They cared for the lands that included what we’d call the Puget Sound region, Vancouver Island and British Columbia since time immemorial. This gives us the great obligation and opportunity to learn how to care for our surrounding areas and all the natural and human resources we require to live. We express our deepest respect and gratitude for our indigenous neighbors, the Lummi Nation and Nooksack Tribe, for their enduring care and protection of our shared lands and waterways.

Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism

Visitor Center Located at I-5 Exit 253 - Check Hours
904 Potter Street, Bellingham, WA 98229
Phone: 360-671-3990

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