Visit Seattle Announces Monumental $8.2 Billion Visitor Spending at 2023 Annual Meeting

Friday, March 29, 2024

At their Annual Meeting, Seattle and King County’s lead organization for destination promotion, Visit Seattle, shared early findings on tourism and downtown hotel metrics for the year 2023. The event, hosted at the venerable SIFF Cinema Downtown, was attended by almost 450 stakeholders from the tourism and hospitality sectors, along with community allies and government figures like King County Executive Dow Constantine and Seattle’s Mayor, Bruce Harrell.

Initial figures, set to be confirmed by April, revealed:

• The region welcomed approximately 37.8 million guests in 2023, marking a 9% increase over the previous year and reaching 90.2% of the visitor volume seen in 2019.
• Spending by tourists in Seattle and King County for 2023 totaled around $8.2 billion, up by 12.8% from 2022 and slightly above 2019’s figures by 0.7%.
• In 2023, tourism generated $787 million in taxes for state and local coffers, a 12.5% rise from 2022, achieving 94.0% of the tax contributions recorded in 2019. This resulted in a tax savings of $859 per household within King County for the year, an increase from $775 in 2022 and nearing the 2019 high of $965.
• The tourism industry supported 65,486 jobs in the area in 2023, growing 7.7% from the previous year and attaining 81.5% of the employment levels of 2019.

Data regarding downtown hotel performance in 2023 was also positive:

• Hotel occupancy rates were 68.6%, up by 5.8% from 2022 and approaching 85.9% of the figures before the pandemic.
• The average daily rate for a room stood at $233.69, a 5.5% increase from 2022 and 9.5% up from 2019.
• Hotels in downtown Seattle generated revenue of $898.1 million, a 15% boost from 2022 and slightly higher than 2019 by 0.5%.

“Seattle continues to be a desirable destination for travelers around the globe, despite the challenges that are still affecting the tourism industry,” said Tammy Canavan, President and CEO of Visit Seattle. “We celebrate 2023’s accomplishments alongside our tourism and hospitality partners. Our entire mission is to execute targeted initiatives that grow the convention, international, cruise, and domestic leisure markets.”

In 2023, Seattle saw a surge in visitor numbers, bolstered by several major events and initiatives. The debut of the Seattle Convention Center’s Summit building positioned the city as a hub for economic, scientific, and cultural gatherings, attracting prestigious groups. The summer period was highlighted by a record cruise season and various headline events, while Visit Seattle led inventive campaigns through the fall and winter, including the Refract glass art event, Cloudbreak Music Festival, and Seattle Museum Month. Highlights from key tourism activities include:

• The highest occupancy rate in the nation for downtown Seattle hotels during the week of June 11-17, per STR rankings.
• Downtown hotel occupancy and revenue records shattered during MLB All-Star Week in July, with estimates of over $50 million in economic benefits for the area.
• A record-setting weekend in July, fueled by Taylor Swift concerts, sports events, and festivals, saw downtown hotel revenues peak and occupancy rates soar.
• The Seattle Convention Center played a crucial role in achieving top revenue days for downtown hotels in 2023, demonstrating the significant impact of conventions and special events on the industry.

Reflecting on the importance of preserving and developing our area to enhance the visitor experience, King County Executive Dow Constantine said at Visit Seattle’s Annual Meeting, “The Seattle metro region is special, and it’s growing. We’re taking action so it thrives for residents and visitors alike – from the new light rail lines which will carry millions of people quickly and sustainably, to the conservation and restoration of our mountains, streams, and green spaces. These investments will improve our community for generations to come.”

Mayor Bruce Harrell underscored the significance of tourism to the city, highlighting Seattle’s appeal to a global audience and commending Visit Seattle for its pivotal role in promoting the city’s offerings. He emphasized the city’s diverse attractions, from conventions to leisure travel, and acknowledged Visit Seattle’s contribution to the city’s economic vitality.

Looking ahead, Visit Seattle unveiled plans for 2024, featuring a keynote by Michelle Roark—a figure renowned in biogenetics, perfumery, wellness, and sports—and announced an Alaska Airlines ticket giveaway, along with showcasing SIFF Cinema Downtown’s famed chocolate popcorn.

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