Who We Are

Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority (RTA) is the official destination marketing organization for Seattle's Southside including the cities of SeaTac, Tukwila and Des Moines.

The organization is responsible for promoting the community as an attractive travel destination and enhancing its public image as a dynamic place to live and work. Through the impact of travel, the RTA strengthens the economic position and provides opportunities for people in our community.

A Little Bit About Us

Message from the President & CEO Including the cities of Des Moines, SeaTac, and Tukwila, Seattle Southside serves as the centrally located… Learn More
Accolades & Affiliations See the accolades, awards and affiliations of Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority. Learn More
Strategic Plan Working with local civic and business leaders, we’ve developed a strategic plan focusing on activities with… Learn More
Board of Directors & Committees The SeaTac City Council appoints RTA board members from a pool of Tourism Promotion Area (TPA)… Learn More
Meeting Minutes & Schedule Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority is dedicated to upholding the principles and ethics detailed in the… Learn More
Our History Learn about the history of the Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority. Learn More

Seattle Southside RTA is a quasi-public corporation. It’s legally separate from the cities, with public oversight and active private-sector participation on the board of directors. All board meetings are open to the public (and held according to the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 42.30 RCW). The RTA is chartered by the City of SeaTac as part of legislation enabling the region to collect a self-initiated Tourism Promotion Area (TPA) special assessment on room nights via an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement as required by the TPA legislation.

Partnerships

In South King County, there’s both the Chamber of Commerce and the RTA. And both organizations market Seattle Southside. The RTA handles visitors, meetings, group tours and sports events. The Chamber assists new residents moving in and relocating or expanding businesses.

The RTA represents all tourism-related businesses within Des Moines, SeaTac and Tukwila and does not charge a membership fee.

Funding

Funding for the RTA comes from a TPA special assessment of $2.00 per room per night collected by hoteliers, and those funds are directed to the RTA for management. (Occupancy taxes and special assessments are typically the way the visitor sector of the economy provides for destination marketing.)

The RTA will continue to contract with the cities for additional local lodging tax dollars to market the region. The lodging tax is a special 1% room tax visitors pay when they stay in Seattle Southside hotels, motels, campgrounds or bed-and-breakfasts. A percentage of this tax is invested into the RTA to attract more overnight visitors to the region and serve them, in order to replenish the lodging tax funds. These tax revenues provide visitor services and facilities and group sales and tourism promotion through a variety of marketing and communications initiatives.

It’s the RTA’s fiduciary duty to use these funds to promote the region to travelers and to report our results. Find out how we plan on accomplishing this with success in “Destination 2020.”

View the Strategic Plan: “Destination 2020”

Vision

To position Seattle Southside as a destination of choice for practical travelers to Seattle while enhancing the image and economic strength of the region.

Mission

As a brand-driven and entrepreneurial destination marketing organization, Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority provides advocacy and innovative services to competitively market the destination. This function helps create jobs, grow tax revenues and improve quality of life for our businesses and residents.

More About Who We Are

Strategic Plan

Working with local civic and business leaders, we’ve developed a strategic plan focusing on activities with the largest return on investment for attracting groups, tourists and business travelers to Seattle Southside.

Details

Careers

There’s opportunity in Seattle Southside. As a Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority employee, you’ll enjoy competitive pay, benefits packages, generous leave programs and the satisfaction of doing work that helps make Seattle Southside a great place to stay, play, eat and explore.

Details

Upcoming Events

Dec 22 to Nov 3, 2025

“Skating the Edge” Exhibitions

Learn about our museum's unique fusion of bonsai and skate culture. As we reflect on our first ten years as an independent non-profit organization, we…

Details

Dec 21

Solstice with Sasquatch

Watch Soley the friendly Sasquatch arrive via helicopter! On December 21, Solely the friendly Sasquatch arrives via helicopter to headline the Museum’s celebration of wintertime…

Details

Dec 22

Wade Walthall’s THE NUTCRACKER

All performances featuring the Evergreen City Ballet Orchestra! Evergreen City Ballet is excited to present Wade Walthall's THE NUTCRACKER at the Renton IKEA Performing Arts…

Details

Dec 22

Wade Walthall’s THE NUTCRACKER

All performances featuring the Evergreen City Ballet Orchestra! Evergreen City Ballet is excited to present Wade Walthall's THE NUTCRACKER at the Renton IKEA Performing Arts…

Details