Tourism Promotion Area (TPA)What is a TPA?

Why would we want a TPA?

CONTROL OVER HOW FUNDS ARE SPENT• TPA funds spent on marketing activities are subject

to recommendation and endorsement by a TPA Commission run by hoteliers

• TPA comes with a “Sunset Clause” putting power in the hands of the lodging industry, and prohibiting alternate or unintended use of the funds by government

COMPETITIVE EQUALIZING• Currently main destination marketing competitors

to Pierce County are funded at 2-3.5 times the level of the Regional CVB

• a flat fee charged on the room folio of guests within the collection area

• a fund base protected by law to be dedicated to tourism marketing activities ONLY

Where else is there a TPA?• several competing destinations

currently employ TPA funding including: • Spokane• Tri-Cities• Yakima• Clark County• Wenatchee• planned for several other

Washington jurisdictions

Tacoma $1.50

Fife, Puyallup, Lakewood $1.00

Gig Harbor, DuPont, Sumner & Pierce County $0.50

Who Collects a TPA?• TPA assessments are collected

at properties with 40 rooms or more within the promotion area

• Pierce County TPA funds would flow through the Pierce County Council to the designated marketing organizations.

How is the TPA Commission formed?

• The TPA Commission will be elected by the members of the Pierce County Lodging Association to make annual recommendations on TPA allocation for regional marketing programs.

Tourism Promotion Area (TPA)Potential Benefits

Increased Visitor Spending and Occupied Room Nights through:

New Regional Sales & Marketing Programs:• smaller meetings & events• multi-property meetings & events• Canadian market development• packaging with direct sales

opportunities• niche markets including urban,

adventure, cultural, sports, incentive and geotourism

• group tour product development• FAM tours for targeted customers• aggressive PR programs including

press/travel writer tours and coverage• sporting event marketing

enhancement

Pierce County’s Tourism Industry already contributes: 4.65 Million Visitors who spend $887 Million annually 10,910 jobs $18.9 Million in local tax receipts

How much more impact would there be if our Destination Marketing Organizations were funded

at competitive levels?

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