While the CVB doesn’t currently have a destination specialist program in place, it does provide comprehensive informational kits to all agents requesting information on Seattle and the surrounding areas. “We are always happy to provide contact information for other destinations in Washington State and the Pacific Northwest,” she added. Indeed, Seattle’s proximity to Oregon, British Columbia and Alaska opens up a score of opportunities for clients who have more time to explore. Among the wealth of material available to agents are the following: Professional Travel Planners Guide; Visitors Guide; Seattle Tourmap; Favorite Attractions brochure; Profile of Bureau Services; Cruise Information; Calendar of Events; Hot Sheet — plus any other enclosures needed to meet the requesting agent’s needs. Other helpful collateral includes: Fun & Free in Seattle; Seattle’s Top 10 Experiences; Motorcoach/Van List; Step-on Guide List; posters, color images and “Seattle Beat” DVD. Snyder advised agents new to selling this destination to “use Seattle’s CVB as a resource and contact us whenever we can be of assistance. All travel agent inquiries are handled by our Tourism Development Department, which can be contacted at (206) 261-5815 (tel); (206) 461-5879 (fax), E-mail to jratliff@visitseattle.org or by accessing the travel trade section of the CVB’s Web site at www.visitseattle.org/travelplanner. Those agents looking to sell the destination to the meetings/incentive market should contact the CVB for its Meeting Planners Guide and visit www.visitseattle.org/meetings.” Snyder said its large meetings and conventions staff “will be delighted to assist.”

Seattle and Washington State can accommodate almost any interest, said Snyder. Here are her selections:
Popular outdoor activities include hiking, biking, river rafting, kayaking, sailing, whale-watching, eagle watching float trips, golfing, skiing and snowboarding.
Professional sports fans can choose between the Seattle Mariners (MLB), Seattle Seahawks (NFL), Seattle Super Sonics (NBA), Seattle Sounders (NASL), Seattle Storm (WNBA), and the Seattle Thunderbirds (NHL).
Wine, beer & culinary enthusiasts will enjoy the Pike Place Market, local breweries, cooking classes with Northwest chefs, visits to gourmet bakeries, a chocolate company tour, winemaker dinners at area restaurants and exploring over 500 wineries throughout the state.
National Parks include Mt. Rainier, Olympic National Park, and the Cascades National Park. Mt. St. Helens, a National Volcanic Monument, is still active after its major eruption in 1980.
Attractions in or near the downtown area are too numerous to list, but include the Space Needle, Seattle Aquarium, boat cruises on Lake Union, Lake Washington and Puget Sound, a salmon dinner and Native American story/dance presentation at Tillicum Village, a wide assortment of sightseeing tours from 2-1/2 to 6 hours in length (some mainly in the city and others to surrounding areas, including the Future of Flight / Boeing Tour in Everett), the Museum of Flight, Woodland Park Zoo, glass blowing venues, art galleries, the newly opened Olympic Sculpture Park and the Seattle Art Museum, plus lots of other museums, gardens and sculptures.
The performing arts include a wide variety of theatres, several symphonies, the opera, ballet, jazz and many other musical venues. Shopping ranges from discount to couture.
Dining choices are unending — everything from a picnic in a park or fish and chips on the waterfront to lively bistros, total ethnic indulgences, simple to gourmet pizzas, European-style dinner theater, or elegant nine-course wine pairing dinners.