Another sign of Bend’s continued economic recovery is
emerging with the rise in lodging tax receipts showing steady growth in
regional tourism.
Visit Bend reported that for the first 11 months of
Fiscal 2013-14 through June lodging visits accounted for more than $4 million
in room taxes, which a tourism agency official said represented a collections
“milestone.”
The results were more than 18% over the 11 month period
for the previous fiscal year.
The May collections of $423,454 were also up more than
18% over May of the previous year.
Seven Wonders of Oregon campaign
Besides the marketing efforts of Visit Bend, the city is
also a beneficiary of the Central Oregon Visitor Association’s participation in
the “Seven Wonders of Oregon” television campaign.
Prominent for the region in the television ads is Smith
Rock State Park along the Crooked River north of Redmond. The dramatic rock
spires of the park--legendary challenges for expert rock climbers--are also the
backdrop of trailers for the screen adaptation of “Wild,” Portland resident
Cheryl Strayed’s account of her Pacific Crest trail trek starring and produced
by Reese Witherspoon.
Target markets for the campaign--produced by
Wieden+Kennedy, the award winning agency for Nike--included Seattle, San
Francisco, Boise and Vancouver, BC.
COVA’s funding is derived in part from lodging taxes
collected from stays at hotels and
resorts in the county.
