Tired of sharing the sidewalk in historic downtown Poulsbo? Get anxious seeing the long ferry line in Kingston? For those of us who live in Kitsap, summer can feel crowded (yes, I know it’ll be October when you read this but hang with me, ok). The people who live here want to enjoy the sunshine and scenery, and so do our visitors.
It may feel like we have too many visitors during the summer (we had over 697,008 trips from visitors coming from 50+ miles away between June 21 and August 29, btw). You might be right. But it’s more useful to look at tourism through a value lens instead of a volume lens, because many local businesses depend on strong summer activity to carry them through slower months.
In 2025, Kitsap welcomed more than 3.39 million visitors, including 1.3 million overnight visits, generating $528.3 million in direct tourism sales across lodging, dining, transportation, retail and recreation. In our region, visitors stay about three days and spend an average of $1,104 per trip. And thanks in part to PSNS and surrounding military installations, 64% of our visitors return.
So the opportunity isn’t simply attracting more people. It’s helping the people already here stay longer, explore farther and spend more locally.
Here are a few ways businesses can help:
In October, sell the extension.
If someone comes for a fall festival, pumpkin patch, concert or weekend event, give them a reason to stay Sunday night or add Monday breakfast. Build “stay one more night” recommendations around fall color, waterfront walks, bookstores, bakeries and dinner.
In November, sell the quiet.
This is the month to promote cozy weekends, storm watching, museums, restaurants, trails and small-town escapes. If your business feels calmer in November, make that the benefit.
In December, sell the occasion.
Light displays, and family visits, and holiday events that already bring people here. Hotels and restaurants can package simple “before the event” and “after the event” ideas to turn a few hours into an overnight.
In January and February, sell the reset.
Think wellness weekends, date nights, food-focused getaways, bookstore stops, waterfront lodging and uncrowded trails. Did you know that Bainbridge Island offers a “Love Local” deal for residents living and employees working on the island? Ask what your business offers that feels better when Kitsap is quiet.
In March and April, sell the return of spring.
Promote gardens, wildlife, longer days, outdoor recreation and early-season events before summer crowds arrive.
The goal isn’t simply more visitors. There’s more value from each visit.
Turn the day trip into dinner → Turn dinner into an overnight. →Turn one town into two.→ Turn summer visitors into winter visitors. →Turn a first visit into a return trip. That’s how we help visitors linger longer.
P.S. Sharing the sidewalk is caring. 😉
