Federally recognized Tribes in Oregon sign tourism agreements
Earlier this week, Travel Oregon announced the signing of formal Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with seven of the nine federally recognized Tribes in Oregon. The first agreements of their kind, the MOUs formalize the valuable partnership between the Tribes and the tourism industry while strengthening commitments to promote and develop tourism within Tribal lands in Oregon.
This official partnership between Travel Oregon and the Tribes has been several years in the making. In close collaboration with the Tribal Tourism Working Group, Travel Oregon published the Travel Guide to Oregon Indian Country in 2023, and the newly updated Experience Indigenous Oregon travel guide in 2026. The updated guide includes information on each Tribe’s culture and heritage as well as tourism offerings. Experience Indigenous Oregon is available to order for free on the Travel Oregon website or you can pick one up in any Travel Oregon Welcome Center along with an associated map.
RFP opportunity: Statewide Strategic Communications & Media Relations Consultant Services
Travel Oregon is seeking a qualified, Oregon-based strategic communications consultant to help translate the results of this work into compelling, accurate and newsworthy stories for statewide and regional media audiences.
The goal of this contract is to build public understanding of the value of tourism investments in Oregon by securing earned media coverage that illustrates real outcomes from Travel Oregon-funded projects and annual tourism industry tentpole moments, including National Travel & Tourism Week and the release of the Economic Impact of Tourism in Oregon report, as well as supporting in-market press trips that give media, local elected officials and partners a firsthand look at those outcomes.
Bids are due by Nov. 25 at 2 p.m. PT.
Turning Short-Term Rental Data into Actionable Destination Strategy, Nov. 17
How are Oregon destination leaders navigating local housing discussions, board reporting, and seasonal planning using short-term vacation rental (STVR) data?
On Nov. 17, 9-10 a.m., this live educational session hosted by AirDNA, brings together panel leaders from Travel Oregon, Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory, Visit Grants Pass, and Blue Room Research for a candid, peer-led discussion on transforming lodging metrics into practical destination strategy.
AirDNA will also share how Oregon destinations can access shared data tools through their partnership with Travel Oregon.
This session is free to attend. Can’t make it? Register anyway to receive the recording.
Competitive Grants Program helps fund launch of Interwoven
Through the 2024–2025 Competitive Grants Program, Travel Oregon awarded funding to the Pendleton Chamber of Commerce to support the launch of Interwoven. Held in mid-October, this inaugural multi-day event converged Indigenous and Western makers to celebrate the storytelling, fashion, craftsmanship and regional ingredients that define the culture and area.
By introducing a major cultural draw in the fall, Interwoven extends the city’s travel season. To maximize this economic impact, Travel Oregon’s Communications team hosted five national journalists on-site, driving immediate local benefits while securing destination awareness through social media and upcoming editorial coverage.
Interested in serving on the Oregon Tourism Commission?
The Oregon Tourism Commission is seeking engaged leaders to help guide the strategic direction and budget oversight of Travel Oregon and to oversee the agency’s Executive Director. Commissioners are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate, serving four‑year terms in a volunteer capacity.
The application process is ongoing, and applications remain active for two years—so even if a position is not immediately available, candidates may be considered for future openings. The next round of applications is due November 16.
Learn more about how to apply.
Submit your nominations for the Tourism Industry Achievement Awards
At the 2027 Oregon Governor’s Conference on Tourism we will host the Tourism Industry Achievement Awards, celebrating work done across the industry in 2026. New this year:we are only accepting self-nominations. If you know someone that you feel is a deserving recipient of an award, please encourage them to complete the nomination process.
Award nominations will be open until December 16.
Food Systems & Tourism Learning Community meeting: Agritourism focus, Nov. 19
Travel Oregon will host the next Food Systems & Tourism Learning Community meeting over Zoom on November 19 from 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. This meeting will have a topical focus on agritourism, with a specific focus on preparing the industry for the roll out of the new Farm Store permit type that will be available starting January 1, 2027.
The goal of this meeting will be to help farmers understand which components of the agritourism regulatory landscape have changed, which remain unchanged, and how to plan for the new provisions to go into place in January 2027. We will be joined by Erika Polmar, Travel Oregon’s agritourism consultant and Audrey Comerford, OSU Extension Agritourism Program Coordinator.
Those currently operating or considering starting an agritourism business, as well as organizations supporting agritourism operators in Oregon are highly encouraged to join. As always, attendees will have the opportunity to share their experience and learn from peers across the state and across sectors.
Learn more about the Food Systems & Tourism Learning Community here.
Oregon lodging industry: Update your listing by Dec. 1
It’s time to make sure your lodging listing information is correct and included in the 2027 – 2028 Official Travel Oregon Visitor Guide. Printed annually, the guide is the only statewide print piece of comprehensive lodging listings. Any transient lodging property in Oregon that pays the statewide lodging tax is eligible for a free basic listing in the printed visitor guide as well as a listing on traveloregon.com.
Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) manages the lodging database used to feed both directories. Properties are required to update or verify their existing listing information — or submit a new lodging listing to ORLA by December 1 for inclusion in the guide.
Questions? Please contact ORLA at Listings@OregonRLA.org.
Verify or update your listing.
Industry Research
The World Food Travel Association (WFTA) released their Food Travel Monitor 2026 earlier this year. This study, led by Dr. Matthew J. Stone of California State University, Chico, provides one of the most comprehensive looks at food and beverage travel behavior globally. Based on surveys conducted across six countries, the study found that travelers rate the importance of food and drink in destination choice at 8.2 out of 10, while 66% say food and beverage experiences matter more to their travel decisions today than they did five years ago.
Future Partners publishes monthly updates and hosts monthly webinars on their State of the American Traveler study, looking at national travel trends:
- Future Partners Blog
- The State of the American Traveler in October 2026 – Financial confidence slips, travel holds and AI finds its place.
This research was not conducted or sponsored by Travel Oregon.