By Julie Graham
Tourism was a $273 million industry for Whatcom County in 1996, said John Carter, director of the Whatcom/Bellingham Convention and Visitors' Bureau.
The bureau's research confirms that the average party of 2.4 people to the county spends $151 a day, he said.
"The university is an important part of our tourism mix. It attracts families and friends of students plus is a major player in hosting summer conferences, events and institutes," Carter said.
Western Washington University also hosts 55 to 65 conferences a year. Groups range from 20 to 800, said Diana Bakkom.
The majority of these take place in the summer, because the university doesn't have as many students then, she said.
"People like to meet on campus because of the campus atmosphere and the facilities we have here: technology, teaching ...," Bakkom said.