In this issue:
- Travel Oregon Economic Recovery Efforts
At the Feb. 23 public meeting, following a strategic review of the current revenue forecast and economic trends, the Oregon Tourism Commission approved a staff recommendation to immediately modify Travel Oregon’s biennial budget to invest in direct relief to tourism industry partners. With so many in Oregon’s travel and tourism industry still facing the impacts of COVID-19, the approved budget modification provides $4.5 million in real and immediate relief in the following ways:- $1.2 million for the Regional Cooperative Tourism Program and Grants (statute directs 30% of Travel Oregon’s revenue towards these programs).
- Additional funds for Destination Ready projects and grants, increasing the awarded amount from $250,000 to $913,000, which were awarded on Feb. 25.
- $1.5 million to regional recovery and stability programs through the Regional Destination Management Organizations.
- An additional $1 million to the Competitive & Recovery Grants, increasing the available funds from $1.3 to $2.3 million. This opportunity opens statewide on March 15.
- Access Past Webinars
- Reminder: Competitive & Recovery Grants Open March 15
- Federal COVID-19 Relief – The American Rescue Plan Act
Upcoming Virtual Events
- March 11, Drive Online Business with Locl, Inc.
- March 15, Southern Oregon Engagement Session
- March 16, Central Oregon Engagement Session
- March 16, Mt. Hood & the Columbia River Gorge Engagement Session
- March 17, Destination Capitol Hill
- March 18, Willamette Valley Engagement Session
- March 18, Panel Discussion – Highlights from Sea Grant Tourism Programming
- March 18, U.S. Travel Webinar: Key Lessons Learned from Hosting Super Bowl LV Amid the Pandemic
- March 24, Enhance Your Bottom Line Through Tourism-Related Vendors
- March 25, U.S. Travel Webinar: Consumer Attitudes, Priorities and Trends for the Year Ahead
- March 30, Eastern Oregon Engagement Session
- March 30, Oregon Coast Engagement Session
- March 31, Successful Regional Trails Collaboratives Webinar
Upcoming Deadlines
- Travel Oregon Competitive & Recovery Grants Applications (opens March 15), due March 31
- Park Steward Grant Application, due April 1
Research & Reports
- COVID-19 Data Report (March 8)
- COVID-19 Oregon Travel Quarterly Report
- Statewide Lodging Monthly Report (Jan. 2021)
- Statewide Lodging Weekly Report (Feb. 14-Feb. 20)
- Oregon Monthly Barometer (Jan. 2021)
- U.S. Travel’s Fact Sheet: Travel’s Dramatic Losses in 2020
- Agritourism and On-Farm Direct Sales Survey: Results for the U.S.
- The Economic Impact of the Wine and Wine Grape Industries on the Oregon Economy 2019 and 2020 Estimated
- Oregon Outdoor Recreation Economic Impact Study
- 2020 Oregon Tourism Workforce Assessment
- Destinations International COVID-19 Resources & Research
Photo by Andrea Johnson