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  • Our Work
    • Working Groups
    • Center for Regional Disaster Resilience
    • PNWER RIA Program
    • RISE-WA Accelerator
    • Future Borders Coalition (Beyond Preclearance)
    • Congregate
  • Events
    • 2025 Annual Summit
    • Past Events >
      • 2024 Economic Leadership Forum
      • 2024 Annual Summit
      • 2023 Economic Leadership Forum
      • 2023 Annual Summit
      • 2022 Economic Leadership Forum
      • 2022 Annual Summit
      • 2021 Economic Leadership Forum
      • 2021 Summit
      • 2020 Economic Leadership Forum-Rising Economy Week
      • 2019 Economic Leadership Forum
      • 2019 Summit
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    • Past Webinars
    • Pandemic Resilience Roadmap
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    • Current Sponsors
    • Sponsorship Brochure
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Resources for the Tourism and Travel Industry

Tourism is a key economic driver for the PNWER region, averaging $71.4 billion per year in visitor spending. The COVID-19 pandemic greatly disrupted the tourism industry and highlighted the value of cross-border travel to the region. 

During PNWER's 2023 Annual Summit in Boise, Idaho, the PNWER Tourism Working Group proposed the formation of a Regional Tourism Council. The Working Group asserted that more bilateral coordination between industry and government will enhance regional destination competitiveness, sustainability, and resiliency. Given that Tourism is a broad-ranging sector that reaches across cultural and socio-economic groups, the Working Group framed this approach as an economic development and destination management strategy, designed to inclusively build prosperity for the entire PNWER region. Recognizing that Tourism is a key economic driver for the Pacific Northwest United States and Western Canada, the PNWER Executive Board approved the formation of the Regional Tourism Council (RTC) to promote bilateral coordination between the U.S. and Canada and to facilitate timely dialogue and collaboration between industry and government. 

While it is clear that the PNWER region has evolved into a world-class tourism destination, our regional tourism economy has both challenges and competitive advantages that would be better managed with coordinated regional tourism governance, under a framework of bilateral destination management. With COVID lessons learned, industry and government now have the opportunity to collaborate on the challenges of workforce, sustainable tourism dispersion throughout our vast geography, management of the complexity of tourism transportation, mitigation of the impacts of tourism on the climate, and contributions to the efficient operation of our international border.


For more information on the Regional Tourism Council Business Case, click here.
Check out the PNWER Regional Tourism Dashboards below created in partnership with Destination Greater Victoria.
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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

PNWER Regional Tourism Dashboard-Updated June 2020
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Click on the image above to view the PNWER Regional Tourism Dashboard-Updated June 2020
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​
Alaska
Industry

​Alaska Travel Industry Association-Alaska's leading statewide nonprofit membership organization for the Alaska travel industry

Tourism Economic Impacts Survey-Alaska Travel Industry Association-Complete by August 5, 2020
​
Reopen Alaska Responsibly- Phased Reopening Plan
Tourist/Traveler
​
​Travel Alaska
-Official State of Alaska Vacation and Travel Information

​
COVID-19 Traveler Information-Information, health mandates, and advisories for anyone traveling to Alaska from the lower 48 and international destinations


Traveling into Alaska?-Graphic from Alaska Department of Health and Social Services

Social Media/Marketing

​​Travel Alaska:
Alaska Travel Industry Association:
News

Alaska requiring negative virus tests for nonresident travel-Seattle Times--July 29, 2020
​
Clarification on 5-Day Testing Protocol for Travelers to Alaska
-Alaska Travel Industry Association--June 10, 2020
Alberta
Industry 

Ministry of Economic Development, Trade, and Tourism

Travel Alberta Industry Hub

Industry Partner Toolkit
-Travel Alberta COVID-19 Resources

Indigenous Tourism Alberta-Post COVID-19 Re-opening: General Tips and Best Practices

Alberta's Relaunch Strategy-Safely staged COVID-19 recovery plan

Tourist/Traveler

​Travel Alberta-Official Website of Travel Alberta

Indigenous Tourism Alberta-Non-profit organization devoted to help grow and promote authentic, sustainable, and culturally rich Indigenous tourism experiences

Social Media/Marketing

Ministry of Economic Development, Trade, and Tourism:
Travel Alberta:
Indigenous Tourism Alberta:
News
British Columbia
Industry

Destination British Columbia

Resources for Tourism Businesses-Destination BC

Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia

COVID-19 Updates-Tourism Industry Association of BC

Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture

BC's Restart Plan
-Series of steps for reopening

Tourist/Traveler

​Super, Natural British Columbia-Official Travel and Tourism Information from Destination British Columbia

Indigenous Tourism Association of BC- Non-profit, membership-based organization that is committed to growing and promoting a sustainable, culturally rich Indigenous tourism industry

Social Media/Marketing

​Destination British Columbia:
Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia
Indigenous Tourism Association of BC
News
​
Victoria's restaurant scene bounces back with weekend lunch services and more
- The Globe and Mail--September 2, 2020
Idaho
Industry

​Idaho Department of Commerce-Tourism Resources including  COVID-19 resources, tourism research, and grant program

COVID-19 Travel Industry Resources- ID Department of Commerce Toolkit

Idaho Rebounds: Our Path to Prosperity- Stages of Reopening
Tourist/Traveler

​Visit Idaho-Official Vacation and Travel Guide

Social Media/Marketing

​Visit Idaho:
News
Montana
Industry

​Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development

Guidance for Montana's tourism industry partners-Responding to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)- MT Office of Tourism and Business Development

Recovery Dashboard-Gallatin, Madison, & Park County Areas- Dashboard broken down by sector. Tourism data can be found halfway down the page. 

Montana: Reopening the Big Sky- Phased Approach

Tourist/Traveler

Visit Montana-Official Site of the Montana Office of Tourism
​



Social Media/Marketing

Visit Montana:
News
Montana’s Community Snapshot Testing Initiative: An Invitation to Businesses to Partner in an Early Warning System for Tourism and Gateway Communities- Montana Associated Technology Roundtables--June 11, 2020
Northwest Territories
Industry

​Spectacular Northwest Territories: Tourism Industry

Government of the Northwest Territories: Tourism

Government of the Northwest Territories: Indigenous Tourism

Emerging Wisely-Path to Eased Public Health Restrictions-
Phased Reopening Plan
Tourist/Traveler

Spectacular Northwest Territories-Official NWT Tourism website

Social Media/Marketing

Spectacular Northwest Territories:
News
Oregon
Industry

Industry Resources-Travel Oregon

COVID-19 Toolkit-Travel Oregon

Reopening Oregon- Phased plan

Tourist/Traveler

​Travel Oregon-The official guide to Oregon travel and tourism information

Social Media/Marketing

Travel Oregon:
News

Since mid-March, Travel Oregon has shifted its focus, redirecting programming to provide support to the tourism economy through the COVID-19 pandemic, which have included the following actions: 
  • COVID-19 Emergency Response Grant - Providing over $800,0000 in grants to over 120 tourism businesses across the state. In total, 332 applications were submitted with 121 awarded in 30 Oregon counties. More than 90% of the funds are awarded to businesses in Oregon communities with fewer than 35,000 residents and more than 70% of the funds are dedicated to cover some portion of payroll expenses.
  • Developed resources for hospitality businesses including an online toolkit, weekly newsletter, weekly travel data reports and led a business impact survey with Business Oregon and Small Business Development Centers.
  • Early on, Travel Oregon focused our communication and marketing work towards supporting the Governor’s statewide message of first staying home and second staying local. We also worked with partners like Oregon State Parks on developing consumer-facing responsible recreation messaging as public lands began to reopen.

​As counties across the state enter Phase 2, we are seeing travel slowly begin to increase– residents are venturing out, and out-of-state visitors are returning. Over the past few weeks, we have seen hotel occupancy increase – especially in counties in Phase 1 and Phase 2. As counties begin to welcome visitors back, our communication and marketing focus will begin to inspire Oregonians to explore their state and to help visitor and tourism-related businesses navigate the “new normal”.
 
In general, travel is commensurate to what is open within the county. It becomes more flexible as more activities / businesses begin to open. In Phase 2 counties, where restrictions are easing, residents and visitors need information on how to visit these businesses and tourism-related activities safely. Travel Oregon has created resources including FAQs around reopening that are available for you to share with businesses in your community.
 
To drive statewide economic impact, we are developing a recovery marketing campaign that speaks directly to Oregonians and drives them to our website and social channels where we will have information about best travel practices during Phase 2 and compelling content tied directly to local business and lodging. This campaign is based on our shared experience that in times of crisis, people come together. Oregonians have a general desire to lift one another up. We plan to launch on Monday July 6 to drive in-state travel throughout the summer. We will share updates and materials through the Regional Destination Management Organizations and our industry e-newsletter.
​
Breaking down the resources by links:
  • Social Media Tiles: consumer-facing responsible recreation messaging
  • Business impact survey
  • Online resource toolkit
  • Weekly newsletter
  • Weekly travel data reports
  • COVID-19 Emergency Response Grant - Providing over $800,0000 in grants to tourism businesses
  • Consumer resources
    • FAQs
    • Information around reopening
Saskatchewan
Industry

Tourism Saskatchewan Canada-Industry Website

Coronavirus Information-Tourism Saskatchewan--Industry

Ministry of Parks, Culture, and Sport

Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan
-Methodical and Phased-in Approach
Tourist/Traveler

Tourism Saskatchewan-Official website for Tourism SK

Social Media/Marketing

Tourism Saskatchewan:
News
Washington
Industry

Washington Tourism Alliance

COVID-19 Links and Updates
- Washington Tourism Alliance


Safe Start Washington-Plans and Guidance for Reopening

WEBINAR: Executive Speaker Series: Road to Recovery-Tourism-Seattle Metro Chamber of Commerce--August 5, 2020
Tourist/Traveler

Experience Washington-Official Tourism Site of the State of Washington

Social Media/Marketing

Experience Washington:
News

​
New data show it's still a mighty struggle for Seattle-area hotels-Puget Sound Business Journal--September 23, 2020

Newly Released State Tourism Statistics Mark Stunning Decline from Coronavirus Between 2019 and 2020- Washington Tourism Alliance--June 2, 2020

Yukon
Industry

Department of Tourism and Culture

Summary of Yukon's plan for lifting COVID-19 restrictions

Tourist/Traveler

Travel Yukon-Official Yukon Tourism Website

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update-Travel Information from Travel Yukon


Social Media/Marketing

Travel Yukon:
News
Additional Resources
Council Aviation Recovery Taskforce (CART)-International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Task Force aimed at providing practical, aligned guidance to governments and industry operators in order to restart the international air transport sector and recover from the impacts of COVID-19 on a coordinated global basis. 
News
New data show it's still a mighty struggle for Seattle-area hotels-Puget Sound Business Journal--September 23, 2020

Victoria's restaurant scene bounces back with weekend lunch services and more- The Globe and Mail--September 2, 2020

​How can Canada open its borders safely?- Western Aviation News--July 31, 2020

​​Alaska requiring negative virus tests for nonresident travel-Seattle Times--July 29, 2020

Surging tourism is straining this Yellowstone gateway town- National Geographic--July 27, 2020

​Western New York lawmakers on Canada-U.S. border rules: One size does not fit all-Politico--June 12, 2020

Montana’s Community Snapshot Testing Initiative: An Invitation to Businesses to Partner in an Early Warning System for Tourism and Gateway Communities- Montana Associated Technology Roundtables--June 11, 2020
​Clarification on 5-Day Testing Protocol for Travelers to Alaska-Alaska Travel Industry Association--June 10, 2020​

​
Tourism sector calls for national plan to cut back pandemic travel restrictions-The Globe and Mail--June 10, 2020
​

Changes to travel restrictions for immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents-Press Release from Canada Border Services Agency--June 8, 2020

Newly Released State Tourism Statistics Mark Stunning Decline from Coronavirus Between 2019 and 2020- Washington Tourism Alliance--June 2, 2020 

Industry Leaders Call on Federal Government to Streamline Rules and Encourage Safe Travel in Canada; Launch Canadian Tourism Roundtable-Joint Statement from Business Council of Canada--May 29, 2020
Regional Tourism Task Force
Action Items & Key Findings:

​PNWER Regional Tourism Task Force: Briefing from the Cruise Industry- July 17, 2020
Watch the Briefing Here
View Presentation Slides Here
Phone: (206) 443-7723 
Email: [email protected]
Pacific Northwest Economic Region
520 Pike Street, Suite 1310
Seattle, WA 98101