Ballard Alliance Op-Ed: “Protecting the Power of Washington Tourism”
The profound impact of tourism is evident in the buzz and excitement it brings to so many communities. When travelers visit local destinations such as Ballard, whether for large sporting events, a cultural festival, or simply to explore new sights, the benefits are immediate and far-reaching. Travel and tourism are essential to the vibrancy of people, places, and moments, stimulating local economies and creating the stories that define the legacies of countless destinations.
Major events like the recent 2026 FIFA World Cup demonstrated the importance of tourism to Washington’s economy and the incredible potential for our state as a premier tourist destination. With its thriving small businesses and active waterfront, communities like ours contribute to the unique character of tourist destinations across the state. This influx of visitors is what allows these communities to be discovered, invested in, and shared. It fuels the livelihoods of the dedicated citizens and workers who define their communities. The World Cup was projected to generate at least $929 million in revenue for King County, including $100 million in state and local taxes. Realizing that potential depended on ensuring travelers had access to the tools that make travel affordable and accessible to get here.
Credit card reward programs are those exact tools that help make trips possible for many of these travelers. In 2024 alone, frequent flyer miles funded trips for more than 499,278 domestic visitors to Washington. These domestic visitors help drive the state’s $25.1 billion tourism industry, which supports 232,457 jobs and generates $2.6 billion in state and local taxes. Programs such as credit rewards are key to expanding the possibilities of what tourism and local economies can achieve collectively.
Federal lawmakers should actively seek to expand these opportunities, allowing businesses to thrive, employment opportunities to grow, and the local economy to flourish. Yet, proposed legislation such as the Durbin-Marshall credit card bill threaten the very foundation of this growth by dismantling how credit card transactions are processed. Despite claims that the bill would increase competition, there is little evidence it would deliver those results or benefit anyone besides big retail. Instead, it risks forcing airlines, hotels, and credit card companies to scale back or possibly even cut the rewards programs countless consumers have come to rely on.
The passage of the Durbin-Marshall Bill would threaten the growth and vitality of our state’s tourism economy. Fewer visitors mean fewer customers for local businesses, fewer jobs for workers, and less investment in the communities that depend on tourism. We cannot allow this possibility to become our reality.
Businesses and organizations across the county must continue to unite to challenge these destructive policies, ensure our voices are heard, and defend the industry that supports our communities. For communities like Ballard, where every visitor walking through our neighborhoods directly supports a local restaurant, a small retailer, or a family wage job, that voice is not abstract. It is the sound of a neighborhood fighting for its future.
We urge community members, business owners, and residents to contribute to the conversation. Contact your lawmakers to share your story and oppose the Durbin-Marshall Bill and protect the rewards programs that help drive tourism, support local businesses, and keep Washington’s doors open to the world.
– Mike Stewart, Executive Director, Ballard Alliance