(1) From amounts appropriated to the department for the authority and from other moneys available to it, the authority may incur expenditures for any purpose specifically authorized by this chapter including:
(a) Entering into a contract for a multiple year statewide tourism marketing plan with a statewide nonprofit organization whose sole purpose is marketing Washington to tourists. The contract must be equitably inclusive of diverse communities across the state, particularly tribal nations, rural communities, and population centers that historically have not been consulted in the development of destination marketing efforts by the state. The marketing plan must include, but is not limited to, historically and culturally unique communities and rural tourism-dependent counties, natural wonders and outdoor recreation opportunities of the state, including sustainable whale watching, attraction of international tourists, identification of local offerings for tourists, and assistance for tourism areas adversely impacted by natural disasters;
(b) Contracting for the evaluation of the impact of the statewide tourism marketing program; and
(c) Paying for administrative expenses of the authority, which may not exceed two percent of the state portion of funds collected in any fiscal year.
(2) All nonstate moneys received by the authority under RCW
43.384.060 or otherwise provided to the authority for purposes of matching funding must be deposited in the authority's private local account created under *RCW
43.384.020(4) and are held in trust for uses authorized solely by this chapter.
(3) "Sustainable whale watching" means an experience that includes whale watching from land or aboard a vessel that reduces the impact on whales, provides a recreational and educational experience, and motivates participants to care about marine mammals, the sea, and marine conservation.
(4) "Tourism promotion" means programs, projects, and activities undertaken to advertise, market, encourage, and support travel to and within the state and to strengthen or improve the visitor economy, industry, communities, or regions, including but not limited to, and in accordance with policies adopted by the authority:
(a) The establishment, issuance, effectuation, and administration of programs or projects for the advertising and promotion of tourism;
(b) The establishment and implementation of market research, market development, and industry-specific educational projects intended to market, encourage, expand, and improve tourism in the state;
(c) Direct or indirect investments in tourism events and programs and tourism destinations;
(d) Hosting travel trade, tour operators, media, and other travel clients to stimulate tourism;
(e) Leading or participating in state delegations to domestic and international trade shows, marketplaces, and sales missions;
(f) Organizing and hosting statewide tourism conferences and industry convenings that rotate geographically to support businesses and communities;
(g) Participating in events, meetings, and conferences to strengthen tourism partnerships and support industry stakeholders;
(h) Developing and deploying photo, video, and other marketing content to ensure geographic representation and promote diverse destinations in statewide materials;
(i) Promotional hosting, including the provision of travel-related and tourism-related goods and services for economic development and trade promotion purposes, when in the good-faith judgment of the authority such activities aid the marketing, advertising, or promotion of travel to and within the state; and
(j) Payment for in-state, national, and international advertising and promotional campaigns.
(5) The authority may incur expenditures for the purposes of section 3, chapter 189, Laws of 2025 until June 30, 2026.
