Tourism

Vision for Tourism

The premier tourism and convention destination in Eastern Washington.

10-Year Outcomes and Goals:

Develop a first-class regional convention center.
Ensure long-term funding of tourism programs.
Develop a visitor-friendly regional information & welcome center.
Coordinate successful regional Lewis & Clark bicentennial commemoration (2003-2006).
Develop/enhance river front to improve our community's quality of life and economic viability.
Become the premier wine tourism destination in the northwest.
Become the "Sports Mecca" of the northwest.
Develop and maintain a positive quality-of-life image through trade/travel publicity and advertising.

Key Measures of Success Over 10 Years:

The Tri-Cities has become a premier sports and convention destination in the northwest with new facilities and continued growth in valley and off-season business.
The Tri-Cities is recognized throughout the northwest as a "river city" destination for water sports, trails, and shoreline businesses, activities, and events.
The Tri-Cities serves the needs of visitors and businesses in the region with a first-class information and visitor welcome center.
The Tri-Cities is recognized as a premier visitor destination on the National Lewis & Clark Trail.
Tourism funding is adequate and self-sustaining.

Accomplishments During 2003:

Kennewick, in partnership with Benton County and Pasco, began construction of Regional Convention Center; sales and management staff hired; facility expanded from 74,000 to 75,000 square feet; logo and branding materials developed; facility named Three Rivers Convention Center. Contacted more than 300 local meeting planners during 2003 "Bring Your Meeting Home" campaign.
Richland completed construction of Lee Boulevard cruise boat dock, and construction began on Anthony's Home Port Restaurant at Columbia Point.
Columbia Point selected for Hanford Reach National Monument Heritage and Visitor Center; completed economic assessment and initial designs; began construction of infrastructure and utilities; completed initial re-vegetation and dust abatement at Columbia Point.
Conducted trail improvement and cleanup activities, and established base for interpretive kiosk at Richland's Chamna Natural Preserve.
Construction completed on an 82 room Holiday Inn Express in Richland; Construction began on a 120-room Courtyard Suites by Marriott in Richland; a 110-room Best Western Inn & Suites, and an 85-room AmeriSuites in Pasco.
Partnered with Washington State Tourism to complete "wine country" consumer profile survey.
Continued successful golf & wine package promotions with hotels, golf courses, and wineries.
Pasco and Kennewick working to lower levee between blue and cable bridges; Richland working on habitat/trail enhancements for Columbia Park West; continued pursuing long-term lease for shoreline lands.
Bridge-to-Bridge, River-to-Rail community master plan developed for downtown Kennewick.
Secured $1.4 million for improvements at Sacajawea State Park; secured local funding for support of The Confluence Project (Maya Lin artwork); installed four Lewis & Clark Interpretive markers along Sacagawea Heritage Trail; Richland developed plans for new Lewis & Clark/informational kiosks; partnered with Tri-City Herald to showcase weekly Lewis & Clark journal vignettes; held Lewis & Clark speaker series with nationally recognized speakers; and coordinated the 16th Annual Washington State Heritage Conference.
Secured National Park Service grant; and conducted very successful, first annual Lewis & Clark Heritage Day, "Down the Great Columbia," at Sacajawea State Park.
Secured more than 280 positive articles and interviews in publications and broadcast stations worldwide reaching 12 million people with a positive message about the Tri-Cities' quality of life.
Held fifth annual Central Washington Sports Hall of Fame banquet and induction.
Helped coordinate the "Bringing the World to Eastern Washington" tour for international officials.
Helped secure legislative approval for the Tourism Promotion Act, creating a potential new funding source for tourism programs.

Spring 2003 Workshop Update (PDF 28kb)