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Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority (RTA), is the official destination marketing organization for South Seattle. Seattle Southside is a convenient, affordable, and fun place to visit. You can find it all in Seattle’s Backyard: sports, shopping, hanging out at the beach, whatever you’re into.

Centrally located near the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Seattle Southside consists of the cities of Tukwila, SeaTac, and Des Moines and is the perfect location for your next getaway.

 

This organization is responsible for marketing Seattle as an ideal travel destination. When you plan your first trip to Western Washington, whether it’s for business or pleasure, there is no shortage of things to do and sights to see. Seattle Southside’s central location provides easy access to a wide variety of must-see attractions and events. Seattle is just 15 minutes north of Seattle Southside, and Tacoma is 20 minutes to the south.

Seattle Southside is a national award-winning destination marketing organization. They believe that the best way to attract visitors is through a coordinated, cooperative alliance with their regional tourism business community. Seattle Southside offers plenty of attractions, shopping, dining, events, and places to stay.

 

HISTORY

The road to Seattle Southside began in 1999 when Katherine Kertzman was hired as the Tukwila Tourism and Marketing Director. In 2002, on the heels of the successful branding campaign “Think Tukwila,” SeaTac joined and created an inter-local agreement with Tukwila to jointly market the two cities as a region known as Seattle Southside. Tukwila and SeaTac contributed financially to the program through a portion of lodging tax funds, and Tukwila is the program administrator.

In 2004, Kent joined, and the Visitor Center moved to a more visible location on Interurban Avenue in Tukwila the following year. Kent contributed a portion of their lodging tax funds to Seattle Southside. Des Moines came on board in 2006 as the fourth destination city.

 

Des Moines came on board in 2006 as the fourth destination city. Des Moines contributes 100% of its lodging tax funds to SSVS.

The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee in each city governs the spending by recommending its use to the city councils. This body was formed to implement legislation passed by the State Legislature in 1997, which directs that 1 percent of city taxes collected on lodging be used to promote tourism. The committee comprises an elected government official, half hoteliers, and half other tourism venues, giving the local business community a greater voice.

 

Visitor Center

Seattle Southside has two Visitor Center locations. Their main Visitor Center is located one block east of the Airport Light Rail Station at 3100 S. 176th Street. Their second Visitor Center is conveniently located at Westfield Southcenter, a popular place to dine, shop or spend an extended layover. Both facilities pride themselves in their expertise in personal concierge for a Pacific Northwest vacation. Their complimentary services include:

  • Restaurant reservations and recommendations
  • Hotel reservation assistance and referrals
  • Directions and travel time to specific destinations
  • Free brochures, maps and other logistical and sightseeing guides
  • Tips, suggestions, and advice on area attractions as well as outdoor activities, national, state and local parks, and scenic driving destinations
  • Transportation guidance, Link Light Rail Tickets, taxis bookings and hotel shuttle assistance
  • Information on museums, theater, dance, opera and how to get tickets
  • Tour bookings of all major tours in the area
  • Sale of The Museum of Flight tickets, iFLY Indoor Skydiving tickets & Link light rail day passes
  • Expert knowledge on local events, sports, festivals and activities

We are happy to have the Seattle Southside join the Adopt A Highway® program with their sponsorship of 11 signs in the Tukwila, SeaTac, and Des Moines areas. This dedication to cleaner and safer highways for the community allows Seattle Southside to go­­­ beyond the normal duties of most Visitor Centers.

For more information, please go to SeattleSouthside.com

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