— from Amy Nester for San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau —
National Travel and Tourism Week, May 6th through the 12th, is the annual salute to the positive effects of travel in the U.S. With 2018’s theme of “Travel Then and Now,” The San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau is taking this opportunity to honor the past and look towards the future of tourism in the archipelago.
A prime example is Washington State Ferries. Before the state took over operations in 1951, an armada of steam-powered vessels known as the Mosquito Fleet served a variety of ports around Puget Sound from the mid-1850s until the 1930s. Today, Washington State Ferries is the largest operator in the U.S. and second largest in the world for the number of vehicles carried. And, looking forward, Washington State Ferries is seeking input on their long range plan.
Then, our waterfronts were industrial sites for limestone production, canneries, a saw mill, a kelp processing plant and a substantial fishing fleet. Now, our shores host a variety of public parks, resorts, shops, tour boat companies and pleasure boat marinas.
Our visitors spent just over 235 million dollars in 2017 on lodgings, food, recreation, entertainment and the arts. Approximately 2,300 jobs are directly related to the tourism industry.
With tourism occupying such a significant percentage of the San Juan Islands economy, this is a golden opportunity to add sustainability to the mix of what attracts visitors from around the globe. A recent report from Booking.com shows that 87% of travelers want to travel sustainably. There’s no time like the present to evaluate our current standards. It’s also the perfect time to reflect and comment on what our vision is for tourism, while our county comprehensive plan is being updated.
The San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau and the Islands’ tourism industry recognize that the economic vitality of tourism is only sustainable if our natural beauty, rural character, and watchable wildlife are preserved. Our goals and missions guide us all to instill an environmental stewardship ethic in our visitors; promoting responsible and low-impact visitation to our beautiful Islands. A recent tourism impact study by our local land managers supported the fact that visitors come here primarily to take part in low-impact outdoor activities.
The San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization for San Juan County and Town of Friday Harbor. It represents over 300 island businesses and organizations including: local history, arts, outdoor recreation, agri-tourism and visitor education entities. Mostly funded by lodging tax paid by the visitor, it also receives business membership dues.
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And if you believe any of the number above, I have a bridge I would really, really, really like to sell to you!!!
You’re right, Merry. The amount of money brought in by tourism, and the number of jobs directly related to tourism, do seem low. If one were to include the number of jobs indirectly related, and the jobs and businesses which derive a substantial portion of their revenue from tourism, the numbers would be quite a bit higher.
Quoted from article above: ”
The San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau and the Islands’ tourism industry recognize that the economic vitality of tourism is only sustainable if our natural beauty, rural character, and watchable wildlife are preserved. Our goals and missions guide us all to instill an environmental stewardship ethic in our visitors; promoting responsible and low-impact visitation to our beautiful Islands. A recent tourism impact study by our local land managers supported the fact that visitors come here primarily to take part in low-impact outdoor activities.”
Nice theory, but it doesn’t hold up on examination.