Courtesy of Washington State Tourism
The City of Olympia is currently accepting applications for tourism funding from the Olympia Hotel Accommodations Tax in 2025. All applications must be submitted by August 18th at 11:59pm.
According to a release from the city, the lodging tax is a sales tax paid by people staying at local lodging facilities such as hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts and campgrounds.
The funds are available to eligible commercial, nonprofit, and government entities that provide tourism services or operate tourism facilities. Under state law, the lodging tax must be used to:
Operation of tourism-related facilities owned and operated by a nonprofit organization (but excluding capital expenditures); Marketing and operation of special events and festivals to attract tourists; Operation and capital expenditures of tourism-related facilities owned or operated by a municipality or public facility district; or Tourism marketing.
According to the city, the following tourism activities will be prioritized:
Promote Olympia and events, activities and locations within the City of Olympia to potential visitors from outside Thurston County; Demonstrate the potential for economic benefit to Olympia; Minimize duplication of services and encourage cooperative marketing and partnerships where appropriate; Demonstrate the potential for tourist accommodations at lodging facilities within the City of Olympia; Provide, maintain, operate or enhance City-owned tourist facilities and infrastructure.
More information and the 2025 application can be found here.
