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The Oregon Tourism Commission (dba Travel Oregon) is celebrating National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) by announcing that Oregon’s travel industry employment will return to pre-pandemic levels in 2023, with a significant increase in employee incomes. announced that tourist spending had reached an all-time high. $14 billion – Powering communities, connections, and industry across the state. Held May 19-25 this year, NTTW aims to stimulate economic growth, foster vibrant communities, create quality job opportunities, stimulate new business, and improve the quality of Americans’ daily lives. It is an annual tradition that celebrates the important role of travel in improving the lives of people.
A recent economic impact report released by Dean Runyan Associates and published by Travel Oregon shows that the travel and tourism industry will create 2,180 new jobs in 2023, bringing total industry employment back to 118,500. I’m emphasizing it. This is a figure not seen since the pandemic wiped out 25,000 people in travel and tourism. Hospitality jobs across the state. Industry revenue, the amount of money earned by tourism industry employees and managers, also increased by 6.9% year-on-year to $4.5 billion.
The amount of money directly spent on travel in 2023 was $14 billion, an increase of 0.6% from the previous year, a record high. The largest increase in spending was in the food services sector ($197 million), while the largest decrease in spending was in local transportation and gasoline, where prices fell compared to 2022 (-118 million dollar). Compared to the rapid increase in spending in 2021-2022 as the tourism industry emerges from the pandemic, the slower growth rate signifies stabilization in the industry.
“We are once again encouraged by the strength and resiliency of Oregon’s tourism industry,” said Todd Davidson, CEO of Travel Oregon. “Tourist spending reached a record $14 billion in 2023 and thousands of tourism and hospitality jobs seemed to disappear overnight, but jobs have fully recovered from the pandemic. The milestone recognizes the critical role tourism plays in driving Oregon’s economic growth, supporting more than 100,000 good-paying jobs across the state, and creating connections between people, communities, and cultures. I am emphasizing that
Oregon’s tax revenue from tourism activities increased overall by 1.5% in 2023, or $10 million more than in 2022. Local tax revenue he was a slight decrease of 0.4%. In contrast, state taxes increased by 2.9%, supported by an increase in taxable income.
An analysis of the impact of in-state and out-of-state visitors shows that in 2023, U.S. residents in states other than Oregon will account for approximately 59% of visitor spending, and Oregonians will account for approximately 36% of visitor spending. It was shown that . Foreign tourists account for about 4% of travel spending in the state, down from 10% in 2019 and on track for a full recovery.
Oregon’s tourism industry continues to grow steadily, with visitor spending reaching record highs and remains a driving force for economic opportunity in every region of the state. Oregon’s diverse destinations range from traditional experiences like outdoor recreation, culinary adventures, and cultural exploration to emerging travel trends like dark sky tourism, electric vehicle road trips, wellness retreats, and agritourism. , caters to a wide range of visitor interests throughout the year. Travel Oregon works with stakeholders and partners to maximize economic return, while prioritizing equity, sustainability, and respect for the unique ecosystems, culture, and places that define Oregon. This collaborative approach will not only help the state’s tourism industry thrive, but also contribute to a more resilient and inclusive economy.
About Travel Oregon
The Oregon Tourism Commission (dba Travel Oregon) is a semi-independent state agency whose mission is to promote travel that uplifts Oregon’s communities. We work collaboratively with stakeholders as stewards of Oregon to optimize economic opportunity, improve equity, and respect the ecosystems, culture, and places that make Oregon Oregon. Travel Oregon aims to improve the quality of life for Oregonians by strengthening the economic impact of her state’s $14 billion tourism industry, which employs more than 118,500 Oregonians.
Travel Oregon has worked with Dean Runyan Associates to estimate the economic importance of Oregon’s travel industry over the past 20 years. The resulting annual report defines the economic impact of travel within and across the state, including seven tourism regions and all 36 of his counties, from 2003 to 2023. The report features detailed estimates of travel spending, jobs created and revenue. This expense is covered by tax revenue generated from travel.
