Overview
The Metro Center will help Federal Way assess the current state of its tourism industry and recommend new opportunities for increasing off season tourism that takes advantage of the city’s accessible location and local amenities. Of special interest will be events that increase overnight visitors and contribute to the overall economic development and capacity of the city’s hospitality and tourism-related industries.
About the City of Federal Way
Located mid-way between Seattle and Tacoma, Federal Way is one of the largest cities in Washington State. Among its many amenities, it boasts breathtaking vistas of Puget Sound, international cuisine at its 275 restaurants, and family-friendly quality of life. Federal Way is home to the nationally renowned Pacific Bonsai Museum, the global collection of the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden, the largest theme park in Washington State (Wild Waves) and one of the finest aquatic centers in the country, attracting both college and Olympic level competitions. The city’s easy access from Interstate 5, proximity to Sea-Tac International Airport, and its future light rail station (opening in 2025) make it a highly accessible location for out of town visitors.
Project Description
The Metro Center will help Federal Way assess the current state of its tourism industry and recommend new opportunities for increasing off season tourism that takes advantage of the city’s accessible location and local amenities. Of special interest will be events that increase overnight visitors and contribute to the overall economic development and capacity of the city’s hospitality and tourism-related industries. Additionally, the Metro Center will explore how the city may address both near and long-term changes in the tourism industry brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Project Team
- Metropolitan Center for Applied Research and Extension: Martha Aitken, Brad Gaolach, and Patricia Townsend
- WSU Carson College of Business, School of Hospitality Business Management Faculty: Mark Beattie, Byron Marlowe, Jenni Sandstrom, Gabriella Reznowski, and Shenrui Deng
Why the Metro Center
For this project, the Metro Center had access to faculty from across the state in WSU’s School of Hospitality Business Management in the Carson College of Business. The project team, located at WSU’s Everett, Vancouver, Tri-Cities and Pullman campuses, boasts international industry expertise in tourism, hotels and restaurants.
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