The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee meeting held on April 18, 2025, in Port Orchard, Washington, focused on the future of tourism funding and collaboration with local organizations. A key discussion point was the potential partnership with Visit Kitsap, a tourism board that has faced challenges in the past but is now led by a new director with a strong vision for the future.

Committee members expressed concern about the fragmented nature of the current tourism marketing efforts in the area. One member highlighted the importance of not penalizing organizations for past issues and emphasized the need for open communication with Visit Kitsap to explore their capabilities and metrics. The member argued that Visit Kitsap has the potential to effectively coordinate tourism efforts and should be given another chance to demonstrate their value to the city.

The discussion also touched on the importance of collaboration among various destination marketing organizations, with a desire to avoid conflict while ensuring effective use of lodging tax funds. The committee is considering maintaining previous funding allocations to Visit Kitsap, with hopes of rebuilding a productive relationship that benefits the city of Port Orchard.

As the meeting concluded, members acknowledged the need to make decisions regarding funding allocations while remaining open to future partnerships that could enhance tourism in the region. The committee's willingness to revisit past decisions reflects a commitment to fostering a more unified approach to tourism marketing in Kitsap County.