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Situation, continued <br />The many faces of Ellensburg <br />' Walla Walla has wine, Leavenworth is little Bavaria, Gig Harbor promotes maritime and Mt. Vernon <br />embraces tulips. <br />' ln stakeholder interviews, leaders frequently stated that Ellensburg didn't have just ,,one thing.,,Visitor surveys also show.ed Ellensburg was viewed differently by different groups. ls it a ,,Rodeo <br />Town," a "Festival Town," or a "University Town?,, <br />r The truth of what visitors experience-Ellensburg's brand-is likely somewhere in between. Right <br />now, this experience is varied and relatively undefined, which can make marketing more difficult. <br />Challenges today and on the horizon <br />' Ellensburg is often seen as a stop on the way to another destination. Many travelers don,t get <br />beyond the gas stations and fast food near l-90. <br />r CWU students from Western Washington often go home on the weekends rather than have friends <br />and family come to visit them in Ellensburg. <br />' Traffic inlhe Puget Sound region is bad and, as the population grows, traffic congestion has <br />extended over Snoqualmie Pass, potentially affecting visitor ex[eriences. Currenily travelers still <br />flock over the pass (notably to Leavenworth and Chelan), hut tiaffic may be an issue in the future. <br />I car ownership rates in Seattle are trending down (currently about L7 percent), especially for thoseunder 35. Because Ellensburg is a road trip destination with no rail or commeicial air, the bus or carrental is the only alternative for those without a car. <br />o <br />- <br />City of Ellensburg <br />Fi\re-Y€ar Tourism Strategic plan <br />2019 I7