Visit Seattle, the State of Washington Tourism and the Port of Seattle have appointed travel sales and marketing consultancy, Linkd Tourism to lead their marketing and promotional activities in Australia and New Zealand.
Effective immediately, the move marks the first time the three US entities have actively collaborated together to promote the Pacific Northwest destinations.
Linkd Tourism’s strategic trade director, Michael Cassis will lead trade relations, while Amanda McCoy will be the industry’s key contact.
McCoy led the Port of Seattle’s agent training program when Linkd Tourism represented the port from 2019 to 2022 and will focus on training agents as well as raising the profile of Seattle and Washington State. This will include promoting Seattle as the gateway to Alaska cruising.
The announcement also marks the first time Washington State has ventured into international marketing for the destination, with Australia and NZ among the top target markets.
Seattle and Washington will be present at February’s Visit USA Expo series and Brand USA B2B Day among other events.
“We’re thrilled to return to the Australasian market in 2023 and this time working together with the state tourism board and Port of Seattle to attract visitors to the Pacific Northwest region,” Visit Seattle Director of International Tourism Liz Johnson said.
“Seattle is a hub for urban and cultural adventures, and we recognise that international travellers want to experience the city, as well as explore the great outdoors right on Seattle’s doorstep.”
Called the Emerald City, Seattle is home to the US’s longest continuously running farmer’s market Pike Place Market, the world’s first Starbucks, and 90s grunge music.
By contrast, Washington State is a nature lover’s paradise, where you can kayak with Orcas in the San Juan Islands, hike through UNESCO Hoh Rain Forest in Olympic National Park, or bike your way through America’s second biggest wine-producing region.
