Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Foundation Hosts 2017 Regional Tourism Summit

Mike, NOAA’s J-26 model Orca, taking center stage at the 2017 Olympic Peninsula Tourism Summit.

Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary was featured as a premier destination at Olympic Peninsula Tourism Summit.  Over 150 participants spent two days of workshops and sharing to promote visitation and to discuss ways to collaboratively enhance the visitor experience on Olympic Peninsula.  Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Foundation hosted an evening event showcasing Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary.

Sanctuary Superintendent Carol Bernthal spoke to the assembly about ways the sanctuary could partner with organizations to provide outreach tools and promote events, as well as opportunities for voluntourism.  Attendees also had the opportunity to walk inside “Big Mama” a life-sized humpback whale display, and explore the sanctuary with Olympic Coast’s new 360 virtual dives experience.  Guests also received a commemorative Sue Coccia Earth Art International pin for the newly founded Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.