Reopening Oregon

Multiple Oregon cities and counties are slowly starting the process of reopening today. In total, 31 of Oregon’s 36 counties received permission to enter Phase 1. As businesses begin to reopen, Oregonians need to make informed decisions and be prepared for the “new normal.” Non-essential travel is still limited and many outdoor recreation sites remain closed. Even in Phase 1 it’s important to stay local -- when you visit restaurants and businesses that are reopening protect yourself and others by wearing face coverings, and expect to physically distance from other customers.

We’re all in this together, and even as the state begins to reopen it’s up to all of us to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Learn more about what reopening means for you. For our industry partners, we are sharing webinars and reopening guidelines on our COVID-19 toolkit.

Photo by Mountains Legacy

Reopening Oregon's Outdoors Webinar May 19

Governor Brown has provided a framework for gradually reopening many sectors in Oregon. On May 14, 31 counties were approved to move into Phase 1 of this plan. Join this 45-minute webinar and Q&A on Tuesday, May 19 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. to understand what Oregon’s phased approach to easing restrictions means for reopening the outdoors to the public. Content will include detailed information about what is permitted in Phase 1 and the implications to the tourism industry. Information will also be shared about potential pathways that would permit non-local recreationists.

Travel Oregon will moderate the session. Panelists include:

Cailin O'Brien-Feeney, Oregon Office of Outdoor Recreation
Michelle Mitchell, U.S. Forest Service
Aaron Curtis, Bureau of Land Management

This webinar is the first of a mini-series moderated by Travel Oregon intended to cover foundational material to reopening public lands. This webinar will not include detailed content related to how tour operators and guides may be able operate, strategies to mobilizing volunteers during this pandemic, or potential messages for responsible recreation.

Updated RCTP Guidelines Available

Due to COVID-19, immediate changes have been made to the Regional Cooperative Tourism Program (RCTP) Guidelines in order for Travel Oregon and our Regional Destination Management Organizations (RDMOs) to respond in the most impactful and effective manner. Changes to RCTP Guidelines will allow for greater flexibility in regional plans, funding ratios, efforts for co-op investments and supporting the needs of regional stakeholders.

Based on feedback from Travel Oregon departments and RDMOs on the current RCTP Guidelines, a new Emergency Management & Disaster Response Addendum has now been put into effect. This will allow for RDMOs to pivot on regional plan investments in the event of an emergency or disaster.

The most recently published guidelines can be viewed here.

For more information, email Harry Dalgaard.

Photo by Modoc Stories

Take Care Out There

On May 8, the Oregon Office of Outdoor recreation launched The Take Care Out There Covid -19 Toolkit. This toolkit was developed in partnership with Travel Oregon, Oregon State Parks, and the Oregon Office of Outdoor Recreation and leverages the Take Care Out There (TCOT) messaging framework. In the toolkit, you will find social media assets designed to encourage responsible recreation while venturing outdoors during COVID-19. All assets are available for download and use by all agencies, tourism organizations and the general public. This toolkit will continue to grow as new assets are developed to respond to the needs of outdoor recreation partners.

As limited public lands begin to reopen, we ask that you make use of these assets and share this toolkit with your networks to encourage responsible recreation across the state.

Photo by Tyler Roemer

KOIN 6 National Travel & Tourism Week Travel Series

Last week, for National Travel and Tourism Week, Travel Oregon and several regional partners took to Zoom for a five-day virtual travel series on KOIN 6. While traveling in and around Oregon is not encouraged at this time, the purpose of this series was to inspire trip planning. The videos are accompanied by visually stunning b-roll to remind the viewer how beautiful Oregon is and include an interview with a regional representative in addition to an accompanying online article. This was a successful and collaborative earned media effort that we hope to do more of in the future. Watch all segments below:

Photo by Sparkloft Media

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