A warm Welcome to Mason County & THE OLYMPIC PENINSULA The Mason County Board of Commissioners recently approved funding for further development of plans to create a tourism Welcome Center on Hwy 101 near Taylor Town. The project was proposed after the Lodging Tax Advisory Board called for strategies to meet changing needs of visitors and tourism providers. Mason County contracted with Northwest Event Organizers to examine the feasibility of a full service Welcome Center on Highway 101. The Board’s goal was to determine if a comprehensive facility – regionally oriented and partnering with community stakeholders – could reach visitors effectively, operate economically, and provide enhanced services that would improve tourism sustainability in Mason County.
The purpose of this “gateway” center is to welcome travelers and provide details on local activities, events and amenities available. The facility would be a destination in its own right, offering interesting activities and a welcoming experience that embodies, protects, and showcasing our rich timber and aquaculture heritage, while providing inspiration and guidance for tourism asset operators, event coordinators and explorers to create memorable adventures and stories. Additionally a Welcome Center, incorporating multiple tourism partners, could result in substantial regional
spin-off benefits in terms of additional visitor spending in the area. According to a recent tourism analyst report (Dean Runyan 2020), on average, visitors that stop at welcome centers spend 68% more on their trip than other types of visitors. These centers serve as an opportunity to connect with visitors who like, expect, and need personal concierge services.
The restroom is the #1 reason visitors stop at a Welcome Center -literally. A visible center with convenient ingress and egress and plenty of parking, could serve travelers basic as well as inspirational needs. The proposed Center will be home to an array of uses including rotating heritage exhibits, educational events, and community gatherings.
The proposed layout includes high visibility and access from Hwy 101 as well as park areas surrounding camp and event area.
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