Travel & Tourism

State hospitality industry faces mounting pressure on multiple fronts

ty@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Washington’s lodging industry is under growing financial pressure as hotel operators report weakening tourism demand, rising costs, and continued strain on profitability across the state.

Expanded gates, ticketing, security among priorities in airport’s master plan

ty@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400

The Port of Pasco is updating the Tri-Cities Airport master plan, with concepts for expanded gates, ticketing, baggage claim and security expected before port commissioners in early 2027.

Patel family builds homegrown hospitality, one hotel at a time

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400

A Kennewick-based hotel company’s newest Pasco hotel sold out its first two floors within days of opening, and it is already building what comes next.

Tri-Cities Airport sees opportunity in airline industry turmoil

ty@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400

As airlines cancel hundreds of routes nationwide, Tri-Cities Airport is bucking the trend – adding two new flights and positioning itself to benefit from the industry's ongoing turbulence.

Colville casino plans are ambitious – and neighboring tribes aren’t happy

ty@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400

The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation are proposing a major casino-hotel north of Pasco — and two neighboring tribes say it would violate their treaty rights.

Richland riverfront hotel gets room refresh

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Rooms in a 30-year-old Richland hotel are getting a refresh this summer.

Tourism is about more than visitors. It’s about building competitive communities

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Tourism has become an important part of how communities position themselves for long-term success. The assets in our communities put the Tri-Cities in a position to capitalize on that.

Campfires, target shooting restrictions start today on WDFW lands

Sun, 14 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400

State wildlife officials are implementing restrictions on public lands across the east side of the state weeks earlier than in past years due to low snowpack and the ongoing drought.

Portland flights take off today from Tri-Cities Airport

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400

For the first time in nearly a decade, Tri-Citians can hop on a commercial flight rather than spending hours driving down Interstate 84 to get to Portland.

Pasco Aquatic Center opening delayed

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 21 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400

If you were planning to hit the new Pasco Aquatics Center as soon as school got out for the summer, you’re going to need to wait to put on your swimsuit.

Airport passenger growth levels off after post-pandemic surge

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 14 May 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Passenger traffic at the Tri-Cities Airport in Pasco has leveled off after years of post-pandemic growth, with 2026 boardings slightly down amid shifting airline capacity, economic uncertainty and rising fuel costs.

How the Strait of Hormuz affects the price of filling your gas tank

Wed, 13 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Even though the U.S. now imports far less oil from the Persian Gulf than it once did, disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz still drive up gasoline prices because oil is traded on a global market. When supply tightens anywhere, prices rise everywhere – including at American gas pumps.

Farmers markets beginning to open

Mon, 04 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Farmers market season kicks off this month with Pasco welcoming vendors and patrons alike to its downtown mercado.

New bus line to link Tri-Cities and Spokane

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

If you’re tired of getting behind the wheel to get up to and back from the greater Spokane region, you now have an option to kick back and let someone else do the driving for you.

Looking to buy or sell your boat? Act quick to avoid new state tax

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

If you’re thinking about buying a boat to spend the coming summer on the Columbia River, you have until July 1 to avoid a new state sales tax.

BFT offers Cinco de Mayo parking shuttles

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

If you’re planning to attend Pasco’s annual Cinco de Mayo Festival this weekend, Ben Franklin Transit can help save you some frustration when it comes to finding parking.

Public Facilities District seeks new board members

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

A public agency that supports facilities such as the Toyota Center, Three Rivers Convention Center and the Reach Museum is looking to fill three vacancies on its board of directors.

Scaled solar system replica opening on Earth Day

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The scale-model solar system that has been under development for years is celebrating a grand opening with a ribbon cutting and park cleanup on Earth Day.

Student athletes sprinting into Tri-Cities for Pasco Invitational

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

One of the state’s longest running high school athletic competitions will welcome more than a thousand student athletes, their coaches, families and supporters to Pasco this weekend.

Arts Center Task Force to lead Reach Museum amphitheater study

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The Richland Public Facilities District, or RPFD, has selected the grassroots group that has worked for decades to establish a performing arts center in the Tri-Cities to study how an existing outdoor amphitheatre can better support community and cultural events.

25 years strong, Dust Devils help fuel Tri-Cities sports tourism

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:30:00 -0400

As the Tri-City Dust Devils mark their 25th year, its new ownership group is looking beyond baseball to position its stadiums as a year-round event venues – a strategy aimed at boosting tourism and drawing more visitors. That shift is appears to already underway at Gesa Stadium, with the Pasco ballpark set to host multiple World Cup fan zones this summer.

Snake River cruise stop coming to Burbank

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:30:00 -0400

Another port of call for cruises on the Columbia and Snake rivers will be welcoming passengers in the coming years.

April events to inject more than $4M into local economy

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

A slew of events, many of them sports tournaments and competitions, are expected to bring about 20,000 people to the Tri-Cities in April, filling hotel rooms, booking restaurant reservations and benefiting other local businesses.

WA governor prepares to meet with NBA commissioner as hopes rise for Sonics’ return

jgoldsteinstreet@washingtonstatestandard.com — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Visit Tri-Cities calls for Ironman volunteers

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Want to be part of the action during this year’s Ironman 70.3 without having to train as a triathlete? Visit Tri-Cities is looking for you.

Ironman athletes select Tri-Cities event as world's best run course

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0500

With just two Ironman 70.3 events under its belt, the Tri-Cities is running away with the praise of the triathlon competition’s participants.

A record fourth year of drought in the Yakima Basin is likely

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 21:00:00 -0500

The Yakima Valley hasn’t experienced four consecutive years of drought since record-keeping began in the late 19th century. That could change this year, as the window closes for snowpack to build across the Cascades.

Weigh in on finalists for names, branding for new aquatics facility

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 21:00:00 -0500

Pasco’s new aquatics center is scheduled to open later this year and officials are seeking the public’s input on three possible names and logos for the facility.

Deadline approaching for IRONMAN scholarship program

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 21:00:00 -0500

Aspiring triathletes without the means or knowledge to pursue that goal have until Feb. 13 to apply for one of two $10,000 scholarships to help prepare for this year’s IROMAN 70.3 Washington Tri-Cities event.

Lower drunk driving limit approved by WA Senate

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 21:00:00 -0500

If it makes it through the House and into law, Washington would join Utah with the toughest standard in the nation on July 1. Foes of the bill cite concerns with enforcing it and worries it will drive away customers from bars, wineries and other hospitality businesses.