The city of Vancouver’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee has recommended awarding nearly $1.74 million to 21 tourism groups, events and festivals in 2026.

The Vancouver City Council is expected to vote on the suggested grants on Dec. 15.

Under Washington law, cities are able to levy lodging taxes on short-term stays at hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, Airbnb units and other short-term, overnight accommodations. The taxes help fund tourism-related groups and events that draw visitors to the area and, as several lodging tax committee members put it, “put heads in beds” at lodging establishments.

Chris Harder, the city’s deputy director of economic prosperity and housing, said this year’s grant requests outpaced the city’s available funding.

“We’re about $600,000 over in asks versus

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