International and Domestic Travel Trade

Visitors will travel from as far as 12,000 miles away to experience Oregon's wide open spaces, friendly people, scenic outdoors and sustainable lifestyle.  While here, the international visitors will stay longer and spend more than their domestic counterparts, making them a significant contributor to the state's tourism economy.  Much more predictable than domestic visitors, European and Asian travelers plan their trips so far in advance they're less influenced by seasonal short-term factors such as weather. 

Driving travel is the weaker U.S. dollar, which is positively affecting affordability, particularly for European travelers.  Plus, it's easier to get here.  Oregon boasts three international non-stop flights by Lufthansa (to/from Frankfurt since March 2003), Northwest Airlines (to/from Tokyo since 2003), and Mexicana Airlines (to/from Guadalara since 2003).  In June 2007, Mexicana inaugurated non-stop flights to Mexico City four times/week with daytime flights. 

Travel Oregon has supported all three inbound leisure markets with destination promotion activities which contribute to the success of the flights.  Lufthansa, for example, has increased its operation for the 2006/07 winter schedule from three to five flights a week.