Communities Powered by Travel: The Columbia Gorge

Travel Oregon premiered the Gorge Tourism Studio Communities Powered by Travel video at the recent Columbia Gorge Tourism Summit on Oct. 30, 2018. As the eighth installment of the Communities Powered by Travel video series, this film showcases the results of the Gorge Tourism Studio and highlights the destination's progress on the 15-year vision it developed in partnership with 225 tourism stakeholders within a bi-state region that encompasses the National Scenic Area and two of the Cascade peaks, Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams.

Key projects highlighted in the film include the development of the Columbia Gorge Tourism Alliance, advancing car-free transportation options, implementing the vision of the region-wide Gorge Towns to Trails hiking loop and developing visitor communications to inspire responsible recreating.

Review the 15-year vision in the Gorge Tourism Studio report here and watch the Communities Powered by Travel video.

2018 Tourism Engagement Survey Results Available

In September, Travel Oregon published a survey to ensure Oregon's tourism industry and industries impacted by tourism had the opportunity to participate and engage in the 2019-2021 strategic planning process.

More than 1,500 industry partners participated in the survey. The full study is available as well as results by region:

Results are also available here. Questions can be directed to Industry@TravelOregon.com.

Regional Cooperative Tourism Program RFP Opportunity Now Open

Travel Oregon is seeking proposals to fill the role of Regional Destination Management Organization (RDMO) for each of the seven tourism regions as part of the Regional Cooperative Tourism Program (RCTP). The purpose of this RFP is to solicit regional proposals from qualified parties interested in receiving designation as the RDMO for a six-year term consisting of three, two-year contracts. The proposals received in accordance with the RFP instructions will be reviewed, ranked and presented to the Oregon Tourism Commission for their consideration and designation.

All applicants are required to review the RCTP Guidelines carefully to ensure any proposal submitted is in accordance with the guidelines. In submitting a response to this RFP, the applicant acknowledges they have read, understand and will adhere to the RCTP Guidelines that govern the Regional Cooperative Tourism Program and will use the planning template provided in development of their two-year proposal.

Learn more about the RFP process and apply here.

Governor's Conference Sponsor & Exhibitor Partnership Opportunities Available

Build brand awareness for your product or destination among Oregon’s tourism stakeholders and businesses, by participating as a sponsor or exhibitor at the 2019 Oregon Governor’s Conference on Tourism, April 14 - 16 in Eugene. The conference is a place for attendees to connect with each other, strategize new partnership ideas and be inspired.

Download the Sponsor and Exhibitor Partnership Opportunities guide for more information. Attendee registration and hotel room blocks will open in February 2019.

Visit OregonTourismConference.com for the latest conference information.

Capitol Christmas Tree Headed to D.C. from Oregon

Over the last 18 months, Travel Oregon partnered with the U.S. Forest Service, non-profit Choose Outdoors and Willamette Valley community partners to get the Capitol Christmas Tree to D.C. The last time Oregon was chosen to provide the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree was in 2002 when it came from the Umpqua National Forest.

As the tree heads to the West Lawn of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., social media and PR outreach will leverage this opportunity to showcase the Willamette National Forest and outdoor recreation actitivies for the winter season. The tree is currently traveling across the country on a 3,000 mile reverse journey of the Oregon Trail to commemorate the 175^th anniversary of the trail. This year also coincides with the 50^th anniversary of the National Trails Act.

Follow the tree's journey, here.