Port of Kalama Comprehensive Plan

BST Associates 

June 1, 2015 

Port of Kalama Comprehensive Plan 

Page 55 

Growth in visitor spending in Cowlitz County was slightly slower than that of the state as a 

whole between 1991 and 2013, but was still strong.  Starting from a total of $74.7 million in 1991, 

visitor spending grew to an estimated $156.5 million in 2013, for an average annual rate of 

3.4 percent.  Statewide travel spending dropped in 2009 as a result of the recession, but climbed 

in each year since.  Travel spending in Cowlitz County also fell in 2009, but is estimated to have 

grown by an average of 5.0 percent per year since. .  (See Figure 28) 

Earnings of workers in travel-related industries in Cowlitz County grew from $18.9 million 

in 1991 to an estimated $38.1 million in 2013.  As visitor-related spending dropped, earnings of 

workers in the industry also dropped sharply, but since 2009 the recovery in earnings has 

mirrored the recovery in spending.  Over the long run (i.e. 1991 through 2013) average earnings 

per worker increased faster in Cowlitz County than in Washington.  In 1991, earnings for 

visitor-related workers averaged by approximately 3.2 percent per year. 

Growth in local tax receipts from visitor spending in Cowlitz County has generally closely 

followed that of growth in spending.  Local tax receipts grew from approximately $0.7 million 

in 1991 to more than $2.0 million in 2013. 

Figure 22 – Cowlitz County Visitor Impacts 

 

Note:  2010-2013 are estimated based on 2013 statewide travel impacts 

Source:  Dean Runyan Associates 

Food and beverage services accounts for the largest share of visitor spending in Cowlitz 

County.  The amount spent on food and beverage services grew from $33.5 million in 2006 to an 

estimated $43.8 million in 2013, accounting for more than 28 percent of visitor spending.  (See 

Table 13) 

Ground transportation and motor fuel sales grew from $25.2 million in 2006 to an estimated 

$30.9 million in 2013, and accounted for approximately 20 percent of visitor spending. 

Spending on accommodations grew from $17.5 million in 2006 to an estimated $21.7 million 

in 2013, accounting for approximately 14 percent of the total.  Visitor-related retail sales grew 

from $20.2 million in 2006 to an estimated $25.5 million in 2013 (i.e. 16 percent), and spending 

$0.0

$500.0

$1,000.0

$1,500.0

$2,000.0

$2,500.0

$0.0

$20.0

$40.0

$60.0

$80.0

$100.0

$120.0

$140.0

$160.0

$180.0

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

Lo

cal

 T

ax 

R

ec

ei

pt

s 

($

1

,0

0

0

’s)

Spe

ndi

ng

 &

 E

arni

ng

s 

($

 m

ill

io

ns

)

Spending

Earnings

Local Tax Receipts

---

BST Associates 

June 1, 2015 

Port of Kalama Comprehensive Plan 

Page 56 

on arts, entertainment, and recreation grew from $17.6 million to an estimated $22.0 million (i.e. 

14 percent). 

Table 15 – Visitor Spending Detail, Cowlitz County 

 

Spending ($ millions) 

Share of Total 

Sector 

2006 

2009 

2013

*

 

2006 

2009 

2013 

Accommodations 

$17.5 

$17.3 

$21.7 

14.3% 

13.5% 

14.0% 

Food & Beverage Services 

$33.5 

$38.1 

$43.8 

27.4% 

29.8% 

28.2% 

Food Stores 

$8.1 

$10.5 

$11.5 

6.6% 

8.2% 

7.4% 

Ground Tran. & Motor Fuel 

$25.2 

$21.5 

$30.9 

20.6% 

16.8% 

19.9% 

Arts, Entertainment & Recreation 

$17.6 

$18.5 

$22.0 

14.4% 

14.5% 

14.2% 

Retail Sales 

$20.2 

$21.9 

$25.5 

16.5% 

17.1% 

16.4% 

Spending at Destination 

$122.1 

$127.8 

$155.5 

100.0% 

100.0% 

100.0% 

* estimated by BST Associates 

Source:  Dean Runyan Associates, BST Associates 

Visitors to Kalama currently have few local options for staying overnight.  As 

demonstrated through hotel/motel tax distributions (see Figure 30), Kalama accounts for less 

than one percent of lodging revenues in Cowlitz County. 

As the tourism market continues to grow there is opportunity 

for lodging expansion in Kalama, and the Port of Kalama has 

space available to accommodate a portion of this growth.  In 

particular, the property adjacent to the new Port administrative 

building / interpretive center has attracted interest from 

developers as the potential location of a new hotel.  North of 

Vancouver there are no other similar sites for a hotel, located both 

on Columbia River waterfront and along Interstate 5. 

Figure 23 – Hotel/Motel Tax Distributions by City 

 

Source:  Washington Department of Revenue 

$-

$50 

$100 

$150 

$200 

$250 

$300 

$350 

$ 

thousands

Kalama

Castle Rock

Kelso

Longview

Woodland

Unincorporated

There is opportunity for 

lodging expansion in 

Kalama, and the Port of 

Kalama has space to 

accommodate a portion 

of this growth. 

---