Willamette Valley
Visitors spend $2 billion in the Willamette Valley, which leads to the direct employment of 22,600 locals.
In the Willamette Valley, farms, vineyards and forests reign supreme. This is a region where trails wind through old-growth forests to surging waterfalls and epic vistas, wine grapes grow on verdant rolling hills and scenic backcountry roads are dotted with historic covered bridges. These communities are tight-knit and chock-full of artisans. It’s easy to see why the region lures visitors from near and far.
Looking for more? Get to know your local Destination Management Organization (DMO) and learn about the Regional Cooperative Tourism Program.
Willamette Valley Dashboard
Regional Cooperative Tourism Program
RDMOs recognized by Travel Oregon develop and submit regional plan proposals for use of state dollars. By leveraging state dollars along with private and public resources, the RDMO’s work with Travel Oregon to bolster Oregon’s tourism economy. Learn how dollars are being spent in the Willamette Valley.
View the dashboard“Travel impacts every corner of our community, it’s the front door to economic development. From small businesses, mom and pop businesses, to large corporations, travel brings folks in to our small businesses. It’s very important and because of travel, our community is thriving.”
Angie Onyewuchi, President & CEO, Travel Salem
Travel Matters in the Willamette Valley
Hear from our partners about why travel matters to their communities and their businesses.
Regional Tourism Plan Details
Polk County
Communities Powered by Tourism
While Polk County has many visitor-worthy attributes, the visitor too often experiences it as a place to drive through on the way to somewhere else, perhaps worthy of a brief day trip at best. Through increased regional collaboration and strategic investment, the Polk County Rural Tourism Studio galvanized community leaders to hone and implement ideas that had been simmering for years, as well as to create new visitor experiences.