Boutiques helping Seattle draw conventions
Seattle’s Washington State Convention and Trade Center is reporting its biggest year since 2001 with even higher numbers expected in 2006, according to tourism officials.
Partly as a result, small boutique hotels are booming. Over the next few years, six new hotels — all with less with 200 rooms — are planned for the area.
Also helping to fill rooms there: a special program for non-convention travelers that might be copied in other areas.
The Seattle Super Save program is credited with filling more than 28,000 hotel rooms last winter.
More than 80 hotels throughout the region participated in the program aimed at budget-minded travelers.
The Seattle program is a revamped version of the city’s CVB initiated system that offered discounts during colder off-season times.
The program was expanded recently to include year-round discounts.
The visitors bureau offered travelers a no-fee structure — no booking fees, no hidden fees and no fees to cancel a reservation up to 24 hours prior to check-in.
Also offered: a book of discount tickets for dining and attractions.
Report by David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive