Visitors who fly to the Yakima Valley and buy a case of wine will soon be able to check it for free on an outbound Alaska Airlines flight.

The Yakima Herald-Republic ( http://is.gd/Q12VEO) says the "free wine baggage" promotion announced Friday aims to encourage more visitors to the wine regions of Yakima, Walla Walla and the Tri-Cities.

The promotion takes effect Sept. 1 and will last for at least two years. Passengers checking their case of wine will have to package it according to airline standards.

Local tourism officials say such promotions are important because Washington state no longer has a publicly-run tourism office.

Shipping a case of wine can cost $65 or more, while the minimum fee to check one bag is $20.

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Information from: Yakima Herald-Republic, http://www.yakimaherald.com