Tourism Delivers Good News For Oregon's Economy

Salem, Oregon - Total direct travel spending in Oregon for 2004 reached a new high mark: $6.9 billion, according to the recent Oregon Travel Impacts Report by Dean Runyan Associates. This represents a six percent increase over the preceding year - the strongest rate of increase since FY 1999-2000. In constant (inflation-adjusted) dollars, travel spending in Oregon is now at its highest level

"This report reinforces what I've known all along - Oregon is not only a great place to live and do business, but it's a great place to visit," Governor Ted Kulongoski said. "Our targeted investments in the tourism market are paying off and I am confident that as we continue to make strides in growing our economy, tourism will remain a vital part of our state's success."

Highlights of the report:

• Much of the increased travel activity in Oregon was fueled by increased passenger air travel. Approximately 2.6 million domestic visitors traveled to Oregon by air in 2004. This is the same number as in 2000, and it represents the second consecutive year of positive growth.
• ¿ Visitors that stayed overnight in hotels, motels and bed-and-breakfast inns accounted for almost one-half of all visitor spending. In 2004, these travelers spent $3.0 billion (including one-way air fares), or 48 percent of all visitor spending in Oregon.
• In 2004, direct travel spending generated $81 million in local taxes and $172 million in state taxes. This is equivalent to $165 for each household in Oregon.
• Direct travel spending in Oregon generated 88,100 jobs with earnings of $1.8 billion in 2004. Three-fourths of these jobs were in the accommodations, food services, and arts, entertainment and recreation industries.
• Travel spending in Oregon generated a total impact of 127,600 jobs with earnings of $3.2 billion in 2004. This includes direct employment by tourism jobs and secondary jobs (such as construction, manufacturing and professional services that support the industry).

The estimates of the direct impacts were produced using the Regional Travel Impact Model (RTIM) developed by Dean Runyan Associates. The input data used to detail the economic impacts of the Oregon travel industry were gathered from various local, state and federal sources.

"The success during the past year has resulted from the collaboration of many partners throughout the state," said Todd Davidson, CEO of Travel Oregon (the new name for the Oregon Tourism Commission). "With new strategies and initiatives, and with new international air service by Lufthansa German Air Lines, Northwest Airlines, and Mexicana Airlines, we plan to see continued growth for Oregon's economy."

Source: Glendale News and Classifieds. An Interactive Online Newspaper for Glendale, Oregon