Free Tourism Promotion Opportunities for Mason County Businesses

Visitors planning a trip to Mason County are looking for places to stay, restaurants to enjoy, events to attend, and experiences that make their visit memorable. Whether they’re planning a weekend getaway or exploring closer to home, Explore Hood Canal helps connect travelers with local businesses and attractions.

As Mason County’s tourism promotion coordinator, Explore Hood Canal offers several free tools to help businesses reach potential customers and encourage visitors to explore all that our region has to offer. Funded through Mason County lodging tax revenues, these resources are available to businesses throughout the county, whether or not they are already Chamber members.

Submit Your Business or Event Listing

One of the simplest ways to increase your visibility is to make sure your business or event is included on explorehoodcanal.com. The tourism website features searchable listings that help visitors discover local destinations and plan their trips.

• Events & Activities: Hosting a festival, concert, workshop, market, or community celebration? Submit your event through Explore Hood Canal’s Event Submission Form for consideration on the website’s This Week calendar, where visitors can browse activities by location and date. Be sure to also submit your event to the Chamber’s Community Calendar to maximize visibility among local residents and visitors. These are separate calendars, so submitting to one does not automatically add your event to the other.
• Lodging & Short-Term Rentals: Hotels, motels, vacation rentals, short-term rentals, cabins, bed and breakfasts, campgrounds, and other overnight accommodations can submit information through the Lodging Listing Form. Listings appear in the Stay Finder, which allows travelers to search by location, accommodation type, and amenities.
• Restaurants & Dining: Restaurants, cafés, coffee shops, and other food and beverage establishments can use the Restaurant Listing Form to be included on the Dining Map, helping visitors discover places to eat throughout Mason County.

All listings are free and submissions are reviewed before publication, so updates may not appear immediately. Businesses are also encouraged to submit changes when operating hours, services, or seasonal offerings change.

Connect with Tourism Partners through the Hood Canal Huddle

Explore Hood Canal also hosts the Hood Canal Huddle, a monthly gathering designed to strengthen collaboration among Mason County’s chambers of commerce, event organizers, lodging providers, tourism businesses, and community partners.

These one-hour meetings provide an opportunity to share upcoming events, seasonal activities, business updates, and other news that may interest visitors. Explore Hood Canal uses this information to help promote local happenings through its website, social media channels, and advertising campaigns.

The Hood Canal Huddle meets online on the second Tuesday of each month, with quarterly in-person gatherings planned beginning in 2027. Participation is free and open to tourism partners throughout Mason County.

For information about participating in an upcoming Hood Canal Huddle, contact Jeff Slakey at jeff@nwevent.org.

Help Visitors Discover More with the WildSide App

The app allows travelers to explore nearby recommendations, build personalized itineraries, and share their plans with family and friends. Because the app draws from Explore Hood Canal’s business listings, keeping your information current helps visitors find you while they’re exploring the area.

The WildSide App is available through the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Share Local Experiences with Your Customers

Tourism promotion isn’t limited to attracting visitors before they arrive. Helping guests discover additional activities and destinations can encourage longer stays, additional spending, and return visits.

Explore Hood Canal has developed several interactive resources that businesses can share through their websites, newsletters, social media, or directly with customers.

• Fall Bingo encourages visitors to explore seasonal sights and experiences through an interactive photo challenge.
• Sunset Spotter helps travelers find scenic places to enjoy the sunset.
• Tide Charts provide helpful information for planning beachcombing, paddling, and other shoreline activities.
• Explorer Quiz offers personalized suggestions to help visitors discover different areas of Mason County.

These resources are especially useful for lodging properties, short-term rental hosts, restaurants, retailers, and other businesses that regularly answer questions about what to see and do in the area.

Bring Hood Canal to Your Lobby or Waiting Room

Businesses can showcase Mason County’s scenery and attractions with Explore Hood Canal’s collection of promotional videos, available free to display on internet-enabled smart TVs. They’re an easy addition to hotel lobbies, vacation rental welcome areas, waiting rooms, and other public spaces.

Explore the full video playlist, or choose a seasonal feature such as Fall & Winter in Hood Canal or Spring in Hood Canal. Set the playlist or individual videos to repeat for a continuous showcase of local destinations and experiences.