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Vancouver will open new in 2027, joining Redmond, Lacey and other US destinations to increase tourism activity. Culture travel, festivals and growing the local visitor economy with three hundred and sixty five days revenue growth Lodging Tax Grant applications. It means communities are investing directly into tourism experiences that bring in overnight visitors and more spending into their communities. The funding also supports destination marketing, community events, cultural celebrations and sustainable tourism initiatives. That should translate into greater demand from visitors for hotels, restaurants, attractions and small businesses. Ultimately, these programmes are designed to build a resilient, year-round tourism economy.
Communities across Washington State are stepping up investment in tourism by opening applications for their 2027 Lodging Tax Grant programmes, creating new funding opportunities for festivals, cultural celebrations, sporting events and destination marketing initiatives. Vancouver, Redmond, Lacey, Oak Harbor and Pierce County have each launched grant programmes financed through local lodging tax revenues, with the shared objective of strengthening tourism, increasing overnight visitor stays and supporting local businesses.
The funding programmes are designed to reinvest accommodation tax revenue directly into tourism development, enabling communities to host larger events, extend visitor seasons beyond the summer months and generate long-term economic benefits. Although each city administers its own programme with unique priorities and application requirements, all are united by a common goal—using tourism as a catalyst for economic development, community engagement and sustainable destination growth.
The City of Vancouver has opened applications for its 2027 Lodging Tax Grant programme, with submissions being accepted from 4 August through 20 September 2026. The programme is administered by the City’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee and is funded through a four per cent lodging tax collected from hotel, motel and bed-and-breakfast stays.
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The city is encouraging applications from organisers of festivals, tourism events and destination marketing campaigns capable of attracting both overnight and day visitors.
For the 2027 funding cycle, Vancouver is prioritising projects that:
Applications will also be evaluated according to the City’s Strategic Plan Core Values, Visit Vancouver’s Destination Master Plan, economic impact, uniqueness, visitor appeal, geographic distribution and inclusion objectives.
By encouraging tourism throughout the year rather than concentrating activity during the summer months, Vancouver aims to create a more resilient visitor economy while spreading economic benefits across the wider community.
The City of Vancouver has officially opened the application process for its 2027 Lodging Tax Grant programme, offering financial support to tourism-focused events, festivals and promotional initiatives designed to attract both overnight and day visitors. The annual funding programme, supported through the city’s four per cent lodging tax collected from hotel, motel and bed and breakfast stays, is intended to stimulate tourism while generating wider economic benefits for local businesses and communities.
Applications for the 2027 funding cycle will be accepted between 4 August and 20 September 2026, with organisers of eligible tourism projects encouraged to submit proposals that align with the city’s long-term tourism and economic development priorities.
The Lodging Tax Grant programme has become one of Vancouver’s most important funding mechanisms for strengthening the city’s tourism economy. By reinvesting lodging tax revenue into visitor-focused initiatives, the programme helps create new attractions, expand existing festivals and enhance tourism marketing efforts throughout the city.
Rather than concentrating solely on large-scale events, the grants are also intended to support community-driven programmes that encourage visitors to spend more time exploring Vancouver while contributing to local businesses, cultural organisations and neighbourhood economies.
Funding is available for projects that increase overnight stays, encourage day-trip visitation and improve Vancouver’s reputation as a year-round destination.
Organisations interested in securing funding for projects taking place during 2027 will be able to submit applications from 4 August until 20 September 2026.
The application process will be managed by the City’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, which will evaluate each proposal against a comprehensive set of tourism, economic and community objectives before making funding recommendations.
Officials are encouraging eligible organisations to prepare applications early and demonstrate how their projects will attract visitors while delivering measurable economic benefits.
While Vancouver already enjoys a busy tourism season during the summer months, city officials are placing greater emphasis on events that help distribute visitor activity more evenly throughout the year.
For the 2027 grant cycle, preference will be given to projects that meet one or more priority objectives.
These include:
By prioritising these areas, the city hopes to create a broader tourism calendar while ensuring visitor spending benefits a wider range of neighbourhoods and businesses.
One of the key goals of the 2027 funding programme is encouraging visitors to experience more of Vancouver beyond its central tourism district.
Neighbourhood festivals, cultural celebrations, outdoor recreation events and community attractions can all help distribute visitor spending throughout the city. This approach not only eases pressure on traditional tourist areas but also introduces travellers to new experiences while supporting local restaurants, retailers, accommodation providers and service businesses.
Officials believe that expanding tourism geographically creates stronger economic resilience while enhancing the visitor experience.
Tourism remains an important contributor to Vancouver’s economy, supporting accommodation providers, restaurants, entertainment venues, retail businesses and transportation services.
By funding festivals, tourism campaigns and special events, the Lodging Tax Grant programme helps generate additional visitor spending that extends well beyond event organisers themselves.
Visitors attending funded events often stay overnight, dine at local restaurants, shop at neighbourhood businesses and explore other attractions during their visit, creating a wider economic impact across multiple sectors.
The city hopes the programme will continue driving tourism-related economic activity while supporting long-term business growth.
The City of Vancouver has also placed significant emphasis on environmental responsibility and inclusive tourism development.
Projects that demonstrate strong commitments to climate action, environmentally responsible event planning and sustainable visitor management are expected to receive favourable consideration during the evaluation process.
Similarly, initiatives that celebrate cultural diversity, improve accessibility or provide opportunities for underserved communities will align closely with the city’s broader strategic objectives.
These priorities reflect Vancouver’s ambition to build a tourism industry that is both economically successful and socially responsible.
The City of Redmond has also launched its 2027 Tourism Grant Programme, inviting organisations to seek financial support for projects that increase visitor numbers and strengthen the city’s tourism profile.
Redmond’s programme places significant emphasis on initiatives that encourage overnight accommodation stays while enhancing the city’s reputation as a destination for cultural events, festivals, sporting competitions and community experiences.
Eligible organisations are expected to demonstrate how their proposed activities will attract visitors from outside the local area and generate measurable economic returns for hotels, restaurants, retailers and hospitality businesses.
Destination marketing campaigns, visitor promotions and tourism-focused events remain among the key priorities under the city’s grant programme.
The funding reflects Redmond’s broader strategy of using tourism investment to diversify the local economy while strengthening community engagement.
The City of Lacey has opened applications for 2027 Lodging Tax Funding, continuing its long-standing commitment to supporting visitor-focused events and promotional activities.
Funding is available for projects that directly increase tourism expenditure while encouraging overnight accommodation within the city.
Eligible proposals typically include:
Applicants are expected to demonstrate clear economic benefits, particularly increased visitor spending across accommodation providers, restaurants, entertainment venues and retail businesses.
Lacey’s tourism funding programme reflects the city’s strategy of building a stronger year-round visitor economy while creating experiences that enhance both resident quality of life and visitor satisfaction.
Oak Harbor has similarly opened applications for its 2027 Lodging Tax and Tourism Promotion Grant Programme, providing financial assistance for tourism-related initiatives capable of increasing visitor activity throughout the city.
The programme supports events, destination marketing and visitor services that encourage travellers to spend more time exploring Oak Harbor and surrounding Whidbey Island attractions.
Projects funded through the programme are expected to increase overnight accommodation demand while showcasing the city’s unique natural, cultural and recreational assets.
Tourism organisers seeking support must demonstrate how their initiatives will contribute to the local economy and enhance Oak Harbor’s position as an attractive visitor destination within Washington State.
The city continues to recognise tourism as an important economic sector capable of supporting employment, hospitality businesses and community development.
Pierce County has also begun accepting applications for its 2027 Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) funding programme, supporting tourism initiatives across one of Washington’s largest counties.
Unlike programmes limited to a single municipality, Pierce County’s funding supports tourism projects benefiting destinations throughout the county.
Eligible activities include:
The county’s LTAC programme seeks to increase visitor spending while strengthening tourism infrastructure and encouraging sustainable destination growth.
Applicants must demonstrate that their proposed activities will attract visitors who generate overnight accommodation demand and wider economic benefits for local communities.
Pierce County views tourism as a significant contributor to employment, hospitality growth and regional economic diversification.
Lodging tax grants have become one of the most effective mechanisms for supporting destination development across Washington State.
Rather than relying solely on general public funding, these programmes reinvest accommodation tax revenue collected from visitors directly into tourism initiatives that generate future economic activity.
The approach creates a self-reinforcing cycle:
This model allows communities to continually strengthen their visitor economies while minimising the financial burden on local residents.
A noticeable trend across Washington’s 2027 funding programmes is the shift towards strategic tourism investment rather than simply funding individual events.
Cities are increasingly prioritising initiatives that deliver long-term economic value by:
These priorities reflect broader destination management strategies being adopted by tourism authorities across North America.
The opening of 2027 lodging tax grant applications across Vancouver, Redmond, Lacey, Oak Harbor and Pierce County demonstrates Washington State’s continued commitment to strengthening its visitor economy through targeted tourism investment.
Although each programme has its own eligibility criteria and funding priorities, all share the objective of encouraging sustainable tourism growth while generating measurable economic benefits for hotels, restaurants, attractions, retailers and local communities.
By supporting festivals, destination marketing, sporting events, cultural celebrations and community tourism initiatives, these grants are expected to help diversify visitor experiences, extend tourism beyond the peak travel season and reinforce Washington’s reputation as a destination offering year-round attractions for domestic and international travellers alike.
The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee will review applications using several evaluation criteria beyond basic tourism potential.
Projects will be assessed based on their alignment with the City’s Strategic Plan Core Values, Visit Vancouver’s Destination Master Plan and broader community priorities.
Additional assessment factors will include:
This multi-layered evaluation process is intended to ensure public funding supports projects capable of delivering lasting value for residents, businesses and visitors alike.
The launch of the 2027 Lodging Tax Grant application process demonstrates Vancouver’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its visitor economy through strategic investment in festivals, tourism programmes and community events.
By encouraging year-round visitation, supporting neighbourhood experiences, promoting sustainability and expanding opportunities for diverse communities, the city is seeking to create a more balanced and resilient tourism sector.
The primary cause behind these 2027 Lodging Tax Grant applications is the growing need to sustain tourism beyond the traditional peak season while supporting local economic development. The answer lies in reinvesting lodging tax revenue into festivals, destination marketing, cultural programmes and visitor-focused events that encourage longer stays and increased spending. The reason is straightforward: a continuous calendar of attractions generates consistent demand for accommodation, hospitality and retail services throughout the year. Therefore, Vancouver, Redmond, Lacey and other participating US destinations are using tourism funding strategically to create lasting economic value and strengthen their visitor economies.
As applications open this August, organisations across Vancouver have an opportunity to secure funding that can help transform innovative tourism ideas into successful visitor experiences while contributing to the city’s broader economic development goals and reinforcing Vancouver’s reputation as one of Canada’s leading urban tourism destinations.
The launch of 2027 Lodging Tax Grant applications across Vancouver, Redmond, Lacey and other US destinations represents far more than a routine funding announcement. It reflects a broader strategy to transform tourism into a year-round economic engine capable of delivering sustained growth for local communities. By directing lodging tax revenues back into festivals, cultural events, destination marketing and tourism development projects, these cities are creating opportunities that extend well beyond the hospitality sector.
Year-round tourism activity helps stabilise business revenues, supports employment across accommodation, food services, entertainment and retail, and encourages visitors to explore destinations outside the traditional summer travel period. This approach also distributes economic benefits more evenly across neighbourhoods, allowing smaller businesses and community organisations to participate in tourism growth.
Another significant advantage is the increasing focus on sustainability, cultural diversity and authentic local experiences. Many of the grant programmes prioritise projects that celebrate community heritage, promote environmental responsibility and attract visitors to locations beyond city centres. These objectives not only enhance the visitor experience but also contribute to stronger destination resilience over the long term.
As competition for travellers intensifies, strategic investment through lodging tax grants enables destinations to remain relevant, innovative and economically competitive. Rather than relying solely on seasonal demand, participating cities are building comprehensive tourism calendars designed to attract visitors throughout the year.
Ultimately, Vancouver, Redmond, Lacey and other participating communities are demonstrating how targeted tourism funding can generate continuous visitor interest, strengthen local economies, support cultural vitality and create a sustainable tourism model that delivers three hundred and sixty five days of revenue growth for businesses, residents and the wider visitor industry.
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Tuesday, September 8, 2026
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