Gov. Gregoire in the United Kingdom to attract tourists and investor to Washington

For Immediate Release: June 17, 2005

London, England - June 17, 2005 - Gov. Christine Gregoire spent the final day of her first trade mission attracting British tourists to Washington. The governor met with British tour operators to talk about how to more effectively market Washington state to European visitors.

�Travelers already spend $11.6 billion a year in Washington,� said Gov. Gregoire. �We can definitely draw more tourists, especially from Europe.�

Washington welcomes more tourists from Japan than any other country, but the United Kingdom comes in second. In total more than 80,000 tourists come to Washington every year from France, Germany and the UK, the three countries the governor visited on this trade mission.

�The natural beauty of Washington and the unique Pacific Northwest lifestyle are our biggest assets for this traveler market,� said Juli Wilkerson, director of the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development.

Gov. Gregoire, Senator Lisa Brown, Wilkerson and other delegates also met with the president of the Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC) today. The two contingents plan to collaborate on connecting United Kingdom aerospace suppliers with Washington�s thriving industry and on addressing issues like workforce development.

The trade mission delegation promoted Washington products, services and investment opportunities, with a focus on the aerospace industry, the biomedical and biotech arenas, and raising the state's visibility as a premier tourism destination. The SBAC, which sponsors the Farnborough International Air Show, encouraged Washington�s participation in 2006.

For more information please visit the governor's website to view:

Photos:

The governor's itinerary:


A list of delegates:


Background on the purpose and objectives of the trip:


Why Europe?:


Why Now?: http://www.governor.wa.gov/actions/trade/2005europe/whynow.htm

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