March 26, 2026
Joey Thompson
+ 1 (206) 461-5873 | [email protected]
Kau’ilani Robinson
+1 (206) 461-5839 | [email protected]
Local elected leaders championed the importance of Seattle’s tourism economy and outlined preparations ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026™
SEATTLE – Visit Seattle, the official destination marketing organization for Seattle and King County, released visitation data for 2025 during its Annual Meeting at the Seattle Convention Center’s Summit building. The event, which drew more than 500 members of Seattle’s hospitality community, also featured a panel of Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson and King County Executive Girmay Zahilay discussing how the city and county are preparing to host six matches during the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
Visit Seattle’s 2025 data shows:
A graphic of this data is available here and more data from Visit Seattle can be found on our website. Visit Seattle will have visitor profiles and finalized 2025 international visitor data available later this year.
The numbers announced Thursday reflect a slowdown in most metrics following growth from 2024. The hospitality industry nationwide faced – and continues to navigate – headwinds such as reduced international visitation, rising operating costs, funding cuts that impacted convention attendance, and government shutdowns, among others.
“The tourism economy across the country is dealing with uncertainty on several fronts,” Visit Seattle President & CEO Tammy Canavan said. “We worked with our community to take on these challenges, and as a result, we saw more stable results than many other U.S. destinations. These figures are a testament to the resilience of our industry, our valued partners, and our brand as a top-tier destination. In just two months, we’ll have another opportunity to build on that reputation as we welcome the world for FIFA World Cup 2026™.”
Marketing and Engagement
At Annual Meeting, Visit Seattle celebrated what drove Seattle’s resilient tourism economy, including another record-breaking cruise season for the Port of Seattle, hundreds of thousands of attendees visiting Seattle Convention Center events, and the excitement of the Mariners postseason run drawing fans from near and far, to name a few.
Leadership also shared updates on how Visit Seattle is addressing industry headwinds, marketing Seattle to domestic and international travelers, and engaging with our partners downtown. That includes our There’s Never Been More to SEA and Mother Nature’s City campaigns, Certified Tourism Ambassador program, and our Meetings and Conventions business.
FIFA World Cup 2026™
At Annual Meeting, Visit Seattle also hosted a panel moderated by Seattle FWC 2026 Chief Strategy Officer April Putney featuring Mayor Wilson and Executive Zahilay. The local and state leaders discussed what their offices are doing to prepare for the tournament and the games’ impact on local communities and beyond.
The program also included a surprise appearance from Gov. Bob Ferguson, who signed a bill on stage to provide long-term funding to the State of WA Tourism, the state’s tourism marketing organization, showing his support for the hospitality industry statewide.
Looking ahead to this summer, Seattle’s World Cup festivities, kicking off June 15, are expected to draw up to 750,000 visitors and locals to Seattle.
“Washingtonians know just how special our state is — we’re looking forward to sharing it with the rest of the world,” Gov. Ferguson said. “It’s an honor to host some of the world’s best soccer teams and fans this summer. Whether they’re playing on our soccer fields, riding our ferries, or road tripping between our three great National Parks, World Cup visitors are going to encounter the unparalleled communities, art, and natural beauty which draw tens of millions of people to our state each year. I thank local leaders for their preparation and look forward to watching Washington enchant the world.”
“I think Seattle is the greatest city in the world, and more and more visitors seem to agree,” Mayor Wilson said. “Our city has so much to offer, from our new Waterfront Park and our lively downtown to our web of extraordinary neighborhoods. I’m excited to work with local businesses, labor organizations, and community partners to ensure that our tourism industry is prepared to welcome everyone who visits our city, and to benefit everyone who lives, works, and does business here.”
“King County has always been a remarkable destination, and now there’s even more for visitors to enjoy,” Executive Zahilay said. “Soon, visitors will be able to travel across Lake Washington by light rail, take Metro buses to nearby mountain trails, and watch some of the world’s top athletes compete at Lumen Field with views of Puget Sound. Hosting the World Cup is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share who we are with the world – inviting people from all backgrounds to shop at local businesses, experience the vibrant arts and culture scene, and take in the natural beauty of our region. I’m excited to welcome visitors from around the world to King County.”
About Visit Seattle: Visit Seattle has served as the official destination marketing organization (DMO) for Seattle and King County for more than 50 years. A 501(c)(6) organization, Visit Seattle enhances the economic prosperity of the region through global destination branding along with competitive programs and campaigns in leisure travel marketing, convention sales, and overseas tourism development. Visit visitseattle.org.
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