The bill aims to enhance sustainable tourism promotion in Washington State by amending existing laws and establishing a framework for a self-supported assessment to fund statewide tourism initiatives. It recognizes the significant economic impact of the tourism industry, which generates approximately $23.9 billion annually and supports over 230,000 jobs. The bill proposes the creation of a tourism self-supported assessment advisory group tasked with evaluating the feasibility of this funding mechanism and making recommendations to the legislature by November 1, 2025. The advisory group will consist of representatives from various sectors of the tourism industry, ensuring a comprehensive approach to funding tourism promotion.

Key amendments to existing laws include changes to the governance structure of the Washington tourism marketing authority, such as the appointment process for board members and the establishment of an advisory committee. The bill also specifies that the authority may incur expenditures related to the self-supported assessment until June 30, 2026. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of sustainable practices in tourism marketing, particularly in promoting rural tourism and outdoor recreation opportunities. Overall, the bill seeks to create a more robust and sustainable funding mechanism for tourism promotion in Washington State.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 43.384.030
Substitute Bill: 43.384.030, 43.384.050