Hosted by the Coos Bay - North Bend - Charleston Visitor & Convention Bureau, the Bay Area Chamber met for the season's final luncheon on May 29, at The Mill Casino Hotel & RV Resort. Janice Langlinais, Executive Director of Oregon's Adventure Coast, shared the recent return on investment (ROI) for the organization’s marketing efforts, noting that each dollar spent on advertising and marketing yields an impressive $27.50 in tourism revenue. She also outlined emerging travel trends that offer exciting opportunities for the area, such as Astro or Dark Sky Tourism, Coolcationing, Sustainable & Regenerative travel, Solo adventures, and spontaneous "On a Whim" trips.

The guest speaker, Todd Davidson, CEO of Travel Oregon, shared insights from his recent trip to China. He emphasized that Asia, especially China, is Oregon's largest source of international tourism. Davidson highlighted the crucial role international visitors play in our state's economy, and noted that tourism from Asia has been slow to recover since the 2020 pandemic. However, the good news is that international tourism rates have now returned to 2019, pre-pandemic levels.

Todd highlighted the significance of Oregon's transient lodging tax, and explained how this tax has been crucial in boosting tourism across the state. The revenue generated is reinvested into Oregon's tourism infrastructure and marketing, making the state more appealing to travelers worldwide.

He introduced the Destination Stewardship Approach to guide Travel Oregon in balancing the economic, environmental, and social/cultural needs of a destination. This approach involves close collaboration with the tourism industry and local residents. The three key pillars are Prosperity, Racial Equity, and Regenerative Tourism. Stay tuned for more details on these initiatives in the coming months.

In today's world, connecting with visitors online is crucial, as consumers rely on online sources for trip planning and business information. Travel Oregon's Digital Marketing Boost program helps businesses lacking internal marketing expertise enhance their digital marketing strategies by lending them expert guidance.

Consultants assess businesses' online presence, educate them on improvements, and provide direct support. The Digital Marketing Boost Program Handbook offers a detailed methodology for industry partners to implement their own projects.

Interested in learning more? Read on to learn how to boost your marketing.

Twenty years ago, the enactment of legislation that introduced a statewide transient lodging tax (TLT) reshaped Oregon's tourism landscape and economic prospects. This pivotal move not only established the Oregon Tourism Commission as a semi-independent entity, but also safeguarded local TLT contributions towards tourism programs, services, and infrastructure.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of this significant legislation, Travel Oregon released a video highlighting how this initiative has transformed tourism across the state and emphasizing the ongoing importance of protecting and championing HB2267 for the industry's continued growth.