‘Seattle is a destination’: Gee celebrates city’s record 3.7M downtown visitors in July

Downtown Seattle set a new tourism record in July with more than 3.7 million visitors, a 5% increase over last year and 12% higher than pre-pandemic levels in 2019, according to the Downtown Seattle Association. The figure, based on cellphone data, does not count international tourists, meaning the actual total is likely higher.

The FIFA World Cup provided a major lift. More than 3 million people came downtown across Seattle’s six match days alone, 17% more than the same days last year. The waterfront also broke a record with more than 351,000 visits from locals living within 10 miles of downtown, surpassing the previous high set in August 2019.

KIRO producer Andrew Lanier shared the numbers on “The Gee and Ursula Show” on KIRO Newsradio, and Gee Scott used the moment to push back on those who make a living painting the city in the worst possible light.

“People like coming to Seattle. Seattle is a destination,” Gee said. “The World Cup time was so good. Even the same people that used their platform to villainize how awful Seattle is had to concede how beautiful Seattle was. It was messing up their game plan. You know the ones that are hate-for-profit? Yeah, it was messing them up.”

Gee points to zero homicides in June as proof the narrative is wrong

Gee noted that the tourism numbers came on the heels of a historic public safety milestone.

“In the month of June, if you guys remember, it was the first time the city of Seattle had zero homicides since 1970,” Gee said. “Seattle was the highlight of the country, the world. People visiting here loved it.”

Gee acknowledged the Bite of Seattle shooting in late July as a tragic setback but said it should not erase what the summer proved about the city.

Gee asks listeners to remember when they fell in love with Seattle

Gee, who moved to Seattle from Chicago, challenged listeners, including those who have soured on the city, to remember the moment they first realized how special the area is.

“Whatever your opinion is today about Seattle, let’s put that aside,” Gee said. “When did you realize how beautiful this place was? When was that moment? I don’t think it is possible for you to live in this area and not to have had that moment. It’s not possible! The first time I got to see and experience it, I said, ‘Whoa, wait a minute. You can, wait, how can you see the mountain from here?’

“Being from Chicago in the Midwest, where it’s just flat, the only thing you see in front of you is a stop sign or something. So to come here, and then the older you get, you can breathe here in this area. You can drink the water here. There are so many things,” Gee added. “So anyways, I know 17% more people downtown compared to this time last year, but it was just beautiful. I just had to say congratulations, Seattle.”

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen to Gee and Ursula on “The Gee and Ursula Show” weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on KIRO Newsradio.