What's Happening in the Oregon Tourism Scene?
Reflections from the recent Oregon Governor's Conference on Tourism
By Ken Meiser, Seaside Chamber of Commerce

What question was answered at the 2000 Oregon Governor's Conference on Tourism held in Eugene, Oregon, April 8 through 11. This year's theme was "The Future is Now."
What's happening? Well, first let's look at what has happened in this state over the last 10 years.
The Oregon state visitor industry has had tremendous growth in activity, including expenditures and facility development. Oregon can be proud of the state's tourism development advances during the last decade. A few examples would be: spending, jobs, taxes and facilities.
Spending by Oregon travelers has increased by an average of 5.7 percent per year since 1991. (3 percent adjusted for inflation) and now amounts to more than $5.5 billion annually. Yes, billion. Jobs directly related to tourism totaled 79,000 in 1999, a 28 percent increase over 1991. State tax revenues increased 57 percent and local taxes increased nearly 100 percent between 1991 and 1999.
At least a dozen new or renovated major attractions have been added to Oregon's inventory, including the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport; five interpretive centers along the I-84 corridor from Ontario to Oregon City; The Museum at Warm Springs; The Oregon Convention Center and new OMSI facility in Portland; a new wing of the High Desert Museum in Bend; a major renovation of the lodge at Crater Lake National Park; and seven casinos operated by Oregon Indian Tribes.
The supply of hotel/motel rooms in Oregon has increased by 17 percent in the last five years. In 1999 more than 2,000 rooms were added throughout the state. 1,200 in Portland city center alone. There are now more than 53,000 commercial lodging rooms, including small inns and B&Bs, in Oregon.
The growth in the food and beverage sector significantly outpaced the state's population growth in the '90s. Additionally, this sector generates the state's highest retail payroll which exceeds $1 billion annually.
As we close out the decade - and embark onto the next century - it's important to recall this growth in travel expenditures, jobs, taxes and attraction development... and the overall increased sophistication of Oregon's visitor industry over the past ten years. The decade of the '90s has been a period filled with changes and challenges, as well as recognition by all regions of Oregon that tourism can be an effective engine for economic development and prosperity.
What will the future bring? The answer to that is new changes and challenges. Will we be ready to meet them? My answer is YES! Oregon and Oregonians have a great history of meeting challenges and adapting to changes. And, I firmly believe that it was those changes and challenges of the past which make us the Oregon of today, and the days to come. Get ready... the future is now. n
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Ken Meiser is the executive director of the Seaside Chamber of Commerce. He is representative to the Clatsop County Economic Development Council, and a member of many community committees and regional tourism councils. Ken may be reached at 503/738-6391 or seaside@aone.com.

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