PORT ORCHARD — Visit Kitsap Peninsula will coordinate county-funded tourism marketing in unincorporated Kitsap under a new agreement providing up to $500,000 a year in lodging-tax revenue.
Kitsap County commissioners approved the destination-marketing contract as part of their Nov. 9 consent agenda. The agreement is scheduled to begin Jan. 1 and run through Dec. 31, 2030, with an option for a two-year extension.
Funding is capped at up to 50% of the lodging-tax revenue the county received in the preceding calendar year, with a $500,000 annual ceiling and a $2 million limit over the initial four-year term.
The county does not guarantee a minimum payment. Funding depends on annual appropriations, available lodging-tax revenue and eligible expenses.
The contract seeks to consolidate county-funded destination marketing under one organization to maintain consistent branding and reduce duplication. It does not prevent the county from awarding separate lodging-tax grants for events, facilities or other eligible tourism activities.
Visit Kitsap Peninsula’s responsibilities include marketing campaigns, coordination with lodging operators and event organizers, and maintaining a destination website with a countywide events calendar.
The website must allow tourism-related businesses and organizations to submit event information regardless of whether they receive county tourism funding. Listings must link directly to outside vendors’ event or ticketing pages without additional per-click charges or requiring vendors to use the organization’s transaction software.
The agreement also requires quarterly reports, an annual report and yearly work plans. Performance measures address visitor volume, lodging-tax collections, marketing engagement, events, visitor satisfaction and business partnerships.
Payments will be made on a reimbursement basis, supported by invoices and documentation. The county may reduce the funding percentage or annual maximum through its budget process.
Visit Kitsap Peninsula retains its website domain and underlying software, while county-funded content and data are subject to county ownership and transition requirements if the agreement ends.
The contract follows the county’s request for proposals for destination-marketing services. It is available at https://agendasuite.org/iip/kitsap/file/getfile/3826.
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