Yakima Valley Tourism reports 2024 gains, plans ambassador training and expanded marketing

John Cooper, a representative of Yakima Valley Tourism, told the Board of Yakima County Commissioners on Feb. 18 that visitor-driven economic activity in 2024 showed gains and that the organization will launch a certified tourism ambassador training program in 2025.

Cooper said Yakima County had roughly 2.5 million visits in 2024, about 5,100 residents employed in travel and tourism, nearly $400,000,000 in visitor spending and roughly $52,000,000 in state and local taxes generated by visitors. "We've got over 5,100 residents who are employed in travel and tourism," Cooper said. "The visitors that come here, they spend close to $400,000,000 each year in visitor spending." He also said visitors account for more than half a million room nights in hotels,…