What is the PNWER Regional Tourism Council?
During the 2023 PNWER Annual Summit in Boise last year, the Tourism Working Group proposed the formation of a Regional Tourism Council (RTC) to promote bilateral coordination between the U.S. and Canada and to facilitate timely industry and government dialogue and collaboration, and the PNWER Executive Board approved the formation. The goal is to convene a group of regional leaders to provide expertise and stability which will be invaluable to the success of our region as a leader of responsible, sustainable, and resilient tourism.
The Regional Tourism Council is composed of an elected official and an industry representative from each of our ten PNWER jurisdictions. The Council is currently being led by our Tourism co-chairs, WA Rep. Cindy Ryu and Dave Cowen. Rep. Ryu serves as the Chair of the House Innovation, Community & Economic Development and Veterans Committee. Dave Cowen is the CEO of The Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC. The Council is also in the process of formally organizing an advisory committee of tourism and travel representatives and other interest-holders who will serve as subject matter experts and advise the Council on relevant issues.
With the FIFA World Cup coming to North America in 2026, the RTC’s initial focus is on working as a region to strategically plan for the international and domestic travelers who will be visiting our entire cross-border region. With this Council, we are hoping to use the upcoming World Cup as a catalyst to build strong cross-border communication and coordination on tourism and border issues.
The Regional Tourism Council is composed of an elected official and an industry representative from each of our ten PNWER jurisdictions. The Council is currently being led by our Tourism co-chairs, WA Rep. Cindy Ryu and Dave Cowen. Rep. Ryu serves as the Chair of the House Innovation, Community & Economic Development and Veterans Committee. Dave Cowen is the CEO of The Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC. The Council is also in the process of formally organizing an advisory committee of tourism and travel representatives and other interest-holders who will serve as subject matter experts and advise the Council on relevant issues.
With the FIFA World Cup coming to North America in 2026, the RTC’s initial focus is on working as a region to strategically plan for the international and domestic travelers who will be visiting our entire cross-border region. With this Council, we are hoping to use the upcoming World Cup as a catalyst to build strong cross-border communication and coordination on tourism and border issues.
Resources
PNWER Regional Tourism Dashboards
Check out the PNWER Regional Tourism Dashboards below created in partnership with Destination Greater Victoria.
Click on the image above to view the PNWER Regional Tourism Dashboard - Updated July 2024
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Click on the image above to view the PNWER Regional Tourism Dashboard - Updated July 2023
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Click on the image above to view the PNWER Regional Tourism Dashboard - Updated July 2022
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Click on the image above to view the PNWER Regional Tourism Dashboard - Updated June 2020
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Click on the image above to read the PNWER COVID-19 Impacts Summary - Updated June 2020
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Click on the image above to view the PNWER Regional Tourism Dashboard - Updated 2019
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Current Projects
Sessions and Presentations
Regional Tourism Council Members
The Regional Tourism Council is composed of an elected official and an industry representative from each of our ten PNWER jurisdictions. The Council is currently being led by our Tourism co-chairs, WA Rep. Cindy Ryu and Dave Cowen.
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Alaska
Senator Jesse Kiehl State Senator Alaska State Legislature |
Alaska
Tanya Carlson Director of Travel Trade, International Markets, & Sustainability Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA) |
Alberta
MLA Chelsae Petrovic MLA for Livingstone-Macleod Legislative Assembly of Alberta |
Alberta
Danielle Vlemmiks Vice President, Strategy, Research and Communications Travel Alberta |
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British Columbia
Minister Lana Popham Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport Government of BC |
British Columbia
Dave Cowen CEO The Butchart Gardens |
Idaho
Senator Kevin Cook State Senator Idaho State Legislature |
Indigenous Representative
Brady Smith Chief Strategy Officer Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada |
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Montana
Rep. Denise Baum State Representative Montana State Legislature |
Montana
Jennifer Pelej Division Administrator, Office of Tourism & Business Development Montana Dept. of Commerce |
Northwest Territories
Minister Caitlin Cleveland Minister of Industry, Tourism & Investment and Education, Culture & Employment Government of NWT |
Northwest Territories
Donna Lee Demarcke CEO Northwest Territories Tourism (NWTT) |
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Oregon
Rep. Emerson Levy State Representative Oregon State Legislature |
Oregon
Kevin Wright VP of Brand Stewardship Travel Oregon |
Saskatchewan
Minister Laura Ross Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport, and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women Government of SK |
Saskatchewan
Amy McInnis VP of Marketing and Communications Tourism Saskatchewan |
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Washington
Rep. Cindy Ryu State Representative Washington State Legislature |
Washington
David Blandford Executive Director State of Washington Tourism |
Yukon
Minister John Streicker Minister of Tourism and Culture Yukon Government |
Yukon
Amanda Deuling Sport Tourism Coordinator Sport Yukon |