Tourism Destination Development Plan (TDDP)

The primary goals of the City of SeaTac Tourism Destination Development Plan (TDDP) are to improve and diversify the visitor experience to increase visitor spending and length of stay throughout the year. That will subsequently increase lodging and other visitor-generated tax revenues (sales, parking, commercial property tax, etc.), which ultimately contribute to funding public services and amenities that benefit the residents of SeaTac. Click here for more information.

Contact:

Maria Langbauer, Senior Economic Development Strategist • 206-973-4838 • mlangbauer@seatacwa.gov

Who can apply for Tourism Funding?

Applications may be submitted by non-profit organizations, the City, and other governments.  In some situations, a private business operating a tourism-related facility owned by a government, can also apply.

How can these funds be used?

This funding can be used for activities and projects that will promote tourism in the City of SeaTac.  Specific uses for this funding are:

• Tourism marketing
• Marketing, promotion and operation of a special event or festival designed to attract tourists
• Operation and capital expenditures of tourism-related facilities owned or operated by a municipality or public facilities district
• Operations of tourism related facilities owned by a nonprofit organization

Types of funding requests

The City of SeaTac offers three different funding request options.

1. Two-year - No funding amount limit (awarded in City Biennial Budget Cycle years)
2. One-year - No funding amount limit (awarded in non-City Biennial Budget Cycle years)
3. “Opportunity Bucket” - $25,000 maximum (awarded any time of year)

Applications

Funding requests must be reviewed and approved by both the Hotel Motel Tax Advisory Committee (HMAC) and the City Council. The time between application and funds being awarded can take up to multiple months. 

The 2024-26 HMAC applications will open Monday, April 1, 2024.

NEW Application deadline is Friday, May 31, 2024, at 5:00 PM. 

Please fill out your application completely. Incomplete applications may delay the review process. 

To apply, please click here for application. 

Email the completed application and supporting documents to mlangbauer@seatacwa.gov.

If you require assistance, please contact Maria Langbauer, Senior Economic Development Strategist, at (206) 973-4838 or via email at mlangbauer@seatacwa.gov.

Things to consider

• Performance measures are provided in the funding application. Funds will be awarded based on merit and how each project meets the stated criteria. Evaluation framework includes, but is not limited to:
  • Meeting basic eligibility criteria
  • Potential economic/tourism impact
  • Potential synergy with other funded projects
  • When the event occurs (particularly if it is during the shoulder season of May-October)
  • Marketing approach
  • Degree of matching funds by applicant
  • Uniqueness of the opportunity
  • Organizational structure and capability 

• HMAC may or may not act or make funding recommendation decisions on a request at the meeting at which it is initially presented
• All applicants must be prepared to make a presentation to the HMAC and answer any questions. Meetings are “hybrid” currently, so presentations may be in-person or though Zoom.
• Funding applications will serve as the contract between the applicant and the City. Each application must be signed and dated by both parties for the agreement to be valid and is subject to SeaTac’s Legal department final review & approval.

Hotel Motel Tax Advisory Committee (HMAC)

The City of SeaTac Community and Economic Development (CED) department serves as the staff liaison for the Hotel Motel Tax Advisory Committee, which makes recommendations to the City Council on how to use lodging taxes to support tourism in SeaTac. 

Contact:

Aleksandr Yeremeyev, Economic Development Manager • 206-973-4843 • ayeremeyev@seatacwa.gov

What is the lodging tax?

Tourism funds come from a 1% "lodging tax” on hotel or motel rooms within the City of SeaTac. Under state law, this money can only be used to support tourism in SeaTac.

What is SeaTac’s goal in using lodging tax funds?

The goal in using lodging tax funds is to encourage and support activities that enhance the experience of tourists visiting SeaTac, which in turn supports and increases economic activity that benefits the SeaTac community. 

Please visit here for more information.