Washington Tourism Day

September 17, 2010

Good afternoon, and thank you Rogers for that introduction.

We are thrilled to be here! Nearly 50 years ago Seattle played host to the World�s Fair and it helped put our state, and our city, on the map.

Now, Shanghai certainly does not need to be put on the map�but the millions who will pass through the World Expo this year will learn more about this amazing city, this beautiful country, and will prove that we are truly living in a global economy.

Visiting the expo is a highlight for us. For two weeks I am leading a delegation of 100 leaders from Washington state to affirm what I learned on my last visit here in 2005 �that China and Washington state are great places to do business.

Our partnership is stronger than ever. It�s a partnership I�m proud of. Today, we are here to say, we want you to visit Washington!

And we plan to do the same in China. Even though I�m here on official business, we�ve all managed to squeeze in some tourist attractions. I�ve told countless people about my visit to the Great Wall in 2005, and this year I plan to tell everyone about Shanghai and the amazing Expo.

Washington and China share a long history together�started in part by those early Chinese immigrants who came to Seattle in the 1800s to help build a young territory � and maybe strike it rich mining for gold.

They maintained a strong cultural identity, and became an important part of Washington. In fact, Washington has one of the largest population of Asian-Americans in the United States. Seattle�s Wing Luke was the first Chinese American elected to a major city council in the mainland U.S.

And we elected America�s first governor of Chinese heritage, Gary Locke. Today he serves as President Obama�s Secretary of Commerce.

Washington governors have made several trade missions to China, and it�s been 25 years since the China Ocean Shipping Company established regular container service at the Port of Seattle.
Today our relationship continues to grow. Since 2000, Washington state�s exports to China have grown 19% a year�last year, Chinese companies imported $5.8 billion in Washington products.

What did you buy? The things that make Washington famous, and the things that make the state a great place to visit!

How many enjoy Starbuck�s coffee? That�s from Washington! How many use Microsoft? That�s from Washington!

Apples�cherries�salmon�oysters�those are from Washington! Boeing airplanes�from Washington!

Seattle is America�s gateway to Asia. We embody the diverse culture, innovative nature and frontier spirit of the Pacific Rim.

Getting there is faster than ever � there are now two direct flights between here and Seattle. Washington is halfway between Asia and Europe�it�s close, it�s easy, and it�s worth a visit!

In just the first two months of this year, monthly arrivals from mainland China were up by more than a third in the United States. And Washington state is one of the top 10 destinations that you visit.

One does not need to be concluding million-dollar-business deals to visit Washington. If your business connection is only drinking lattes at one of the Beijing Starbucks, I encourage you to come to Seattle and visit the original Starbucks caf�.

Step out the door and you are in our famous Pike Place Market, founded more than a century ago to allow the public to buy produce directly from Washington farmers. Today you can watch the salmon literally fly out the door!

Many of our gourmet restaurants serve that same fresh, local food. Whether you want a classic American burger or the latest in our regional cuisine, you can find a restaurant you�ll love in Washington.

And don�t forget � Washington is also known for our award-winning wines, which I assure you can compliment any meal you choose. Visit our glorious vineyards!

Washington is also home to some of the best retail businesses in the world. Visitors can shop at the home of Nordstom�s, a high-quality clothing seller founded in Seattle by an immigrant.

Or you can visit the home store of REI � where they let you try out the adventure gear yourself on a rock-climbing wall!

REI was founded by Washingtonians in need of mountain climbing equipment. Today adventure is still a big part of visiting Washington.

Just this month, I hiked with my family to one of the base camps of Mt. Rainier � located in the center of one of the United State�s most beautiful national parks.

We�re also home to Olympic National Park, a place so special it has been declared a UNESCO world-heritage site.

I personally enjoy visiting the San Juan Islands in the Puget Sound. I love walking the cellars of central Washington�s wineries.

And let�s not forget the Space Needle�built for our World�s Fair in 1962. The original design was sketched on the back of a napkin�one person�s dream of a great way to set our city apart.

Today you can visit�take the same elevator up that Elvis did�and get a full view of the Puget Sound from the observation deck. Then stay for dinner in the rotating restaurant!

If you�ve ever been to Las Vegas and seen the beautiful Chihuly glass ceiling there, you should visit Tacoma, Washington and see Dale Chihuly�s Museum of Glass to see how it�s all made.

See our world-class universities. This summer, I was proud to announce the opening of the Confucius Institute in Seattle. The center encourages understanding of Chinese language, and is the first in America to have a statewide focus.

Tour Boeing�s facilities in Everett. Come and see me in Olympia. I sometimes meet tour groups in our state Capitol building.

And a stop in the Governor�s Office always includes a look at the portrait of Gary Locke.

There is so much to enjoy in Washington. And tourism offers a special benefit � greater understanding. As Washingtonians come to explore the ancient wonders and modern marvels of China, they gain a better understanding of this great country.

We hope that visitors to our home will come away not only with wonderful memories, but a greater understanding of the friendly and innovative people of Washington state.

We are ready to assist � through our state Tourism Office, which Rogers oversees, and through our partners at the Seattle Convention and Visitor�s Bureau and the Port of Seattle. All our partners are eager to make travel to Washington as easy and exciting as possible.

We invite you to Washington state � I hope to see you there!

Thank you.