Summer of Seattle? How local tourism can speed recovery efforts

A thriving tourism scene is the most visible evidence of a city’s recovery. Look around. With a busy waterfront, lively markets, restaurants and museums – Seattle’s recreation takes place. And we all have a continuing interest in supporting it this summer.

Last summer was a tragic reminder of how fragile the travel and hospitality industry is. Normally, our hotel occupancy is around 89% in summer. Last summer it dropped to an astonishing 19%. An all time low.

Yet despite the devastation, Seattle has never lost its soul. In fact, we have become more resilient than ever. We saved lives by doing it. Seattle, the first epicenter of the pandemic, will be remembered as the metropolitan model for fighting the virus. Today we are considered to be one of the top cities in terms of vaccination progress.

Seattle residents have been told to do whatever it takes to protect one another – as we do over and over again. And with it we reach the home stretch of recovery.

But this summer will be a critical test. And it will take an all-in effort on our part to move the needle.

While many industries in Seattle are returning to a pre-pandemic normal, the hospitality industry is still lagging behind. Since Washington was rightly cautious in reopening, we have a longer way to go to catch up, especially when compared to our comparable cities in the United States

Our hotel occupancy in the city center is currently 42%, around 20% below the national average. While many cities have big festivals on the agenda, we will have another year without our main pillars (Capitol Hill Block Party, Seafair and Bumbershoot). A total of 82 citywide conventions previously booked at the Washington State Convention Center, representing a loss of $ 580 million in economic impact, have been canceled. And about 40% of the people who work in tourism have lost their jobs in 2020.

It is a reality that we cannot move away from. And to tackle it, we need movement from our region.

So we encourage you to consider adding local and regional tourism to your travel plans this summer to support restaurants, attractions, and hotels in Seattle that are still in need of business. Your business is valuable and will determine how successful we are in recovery.

Here are a few ways you might consider helping:

∙ Take a day trip across town and immerse yourself in a new neighborhood.

∙ Children in the camp? Escape to one of Seattle’s hotels. Many will be offering overnight incentives this summer.

∙ The new to-go restaurant favorite that you discovered during the pandemic? Try it out in person.

∙ Enjoy the sun and spend a day at the Pike Place Market. Or enjoy the air conditioning and explore one of Seattle’s many museum exhibits.

∙ Follow the hidden treasures of local celebrities through our #IKnowSeattle campaign.

∙ Use this as an excuse to finally visit this point on your list.

As someone who has been in tourism for 45 years, travel is deeply rooted in my soul. I believe traveling is the most enriching and powerful activity anyone can experience.

But the magic of travel is not quantified or defined by the number of miles traveled. And in fact, it’s worth rediscovering Seattle in 2021.

Tom Norwalk
is CEO and President of Visit Seattle – a private, not-for-profit marketing organization that serves as the official destination marketing organization of Seattle and King Counties.