Source: Dean Runyan Associates
Tourism dollars at work in Eastern Oregon
Many tourism organizations, including Travel Oregon, The Eastern Oregon Visitors Association and Travel Pendleton invest millions of dollars in community initiatives through grant programs, strategic investment funds or direct sponsorship. Click through to see the investments that have been critical contributors to local projects in recent years.
Infrastructure at Anthony Lakes Ski Resort
Including enhancing the rental shop to improve accessibility and providing new opportunities for rural recreation and youth programs serving visitors and locals alike
Working to expand the Oregon Outback Dark Sky Sanctuary
Developing new tourism opportunities in remote Southeastern Oregon and capitalizing on the growing demand for astro-tourism
Culinary Tourism
Including investing in marketing and media efforts that highlight food producers, Eastern Oregon wine regions and local farmers—bringing visitors dollars to these businesses and instilling a brand affinity after travelers return home
Outdoor recreation in Wallowa County
Including investing in creating the Joseph Branch Trail; providing responsible recreation messaging in the Eagle Cap Wilderness; and generally putting tourism dollars at work to steward well-loved recreation infrastructure
Eastern Oregon
Economic Impact of Tourism in Eastern Oregon
$566 million
Direct Travel Spending
7,040
Jobs
5.7 million
Overnight stays
Local Eastern Oregon tax receipts generated by tourists in 2024 accounted for $17 million in state revenue, and $8 million in local taxes—representing more than $333 per local household in the region. For every $100 spent by visitors in the region, $36 goes directly back to locals in employee earnings.
Tourism Bolsters Communities
More than 120 cities and counties across Oregon—including 15 in Eastern Oregon—collect a local transient lodging tax that is distinct from the statewide tax to expend on local programming. A statewide study conducted by
ECONorthwest in 2018 found that cities and counties that levied a local transient lodging tax spent the plurality of the revenue on general services. Other major categories of local investment include tourism facilities such as meeting spaces and sports fields; tourism promotion and marketing through organizations such as Travel Pendleton or the Wallowa County; arts, culture and entertainment and local events.
In line with statute, 20% of state transient lodging taxes are directed to seven regional tourism organizations, with Eastern Oregon Visitors Association serving the Eastern Oregon region, for community responsive tourism
development and promotion. Local transient tax dollars, especially those expended on tourism facilities and promotional programs, can be leveraged against regional and state tourism expenditures to attract and steward
visitors in individual communities. This increase in visitors, in turn, increases resources for arts and culture, infrastructure and public services—directly benefiting Oregonians in those communities.
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