Seattle Research Conf SW

 Tourism InvestmentProposal  Research + Opportunity = Policy SuccessTravel & Tourism Research Association, Greater Western Chapter Seattle, WashingtonMarch 23, 2007 …………………………………………: 

Tourism Investment Proposal Research + Opportunity = Policy Success Travel & Tourism Research Association, Greater Western Chapter Seattle, Washington March 23, 2007 …………………………………………

Structural Evolution of Travel Oregon: 

Structural Evolution of Travel Oregon 1970s: part of Highway Department Funded by General Fund allocation ($300,000/annually) Late 1980s: became Oregon Tourism Division Funded by Lottery ($1.5 million/annually) 1995: became Oregon Tourism Commission Allowed private sector partnership

Research Evolution at Travel Oregon: 

Research Evolution at Travel Oregon Oregon Travel Impacts (Dean Runyan, since 1987) Ad Accountability (Longwoods, since 1997) Impacts of Tourism on Tax Revenue in Oregon (Dean Runyan, since 1995) Photo by Steve Terrill

Policy Environment in Oregon: 1999 - 2003: 

Policy Environment in Oregon: 1999 - 2003 Beginning of tough recession/high unemployment Maturation of property tax limitation initiative Local governments face funding challenges State budget at risk; lottery funding targeted

Industry Positioning Efforts : 

Industry Positioning Efforts 1999: Travel Oregon approached state economist Peer review of existing research (ECONorthwest) Study results: strong, conservative Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors Well-received (a change from past experiences) Industry impact cemented in government infrastructure

Industry Political Efforts: 

Industry Political Efforts Difficult economic climate Advocates lobbied To increase funding for Travel Oregon To fix local funding challenges Industry and advocates see economic challenges and political transition as opportunity Photo by Steve Terrill

Major Policy Initiative -Tourism Investment Proposal : 

Major Policy Initiative -Tourism Investment Proposal Construction of economic development legislation Comprehensive statewide and local implications Talking points on legislation How increased investment would impact economy State and local estimates made for sales and tax revenue A comparison of state tourism budgets How existing local DMO’s were using funding

Tenets of Policy Initiative: 

Tenets of Policy Initiative 1% statewide lodging tax Regional cooperative marketing program Protection of local resources at current levels Existing rates and allocations Allows increases under limited circumstances Semi-independent agency Limited government/legislative involvement Reconstruction of Commission

Political Hardball -The Art of Compromise: 

Political Hardball - The Art of Compromise Economy, political transition, message matter What made the difference Message built on research Presentation collateral Compromise/willingness to say “no” Passage of legislation

Implications of Tourism Investment Proposal: 

Implications of Tourism Investment Proposal 2001-03 biennium budget: $6.2 million 2007-09 projected budget: $22.8 million Local tourism budgets protected (approximately $50 million/year) Tourism positioned to claim spot as major socio-economic driver in Oregon Major policy initiative not possible without research

Thank You!: 

Thank You! Photo by Peter Marbach