The Oregon Tourism Commission, also known as Travel Oregon, awarded $3.6 million in tourism funding to 56 recipients through its 2023 Competitive Grants Program. The goal of the funds is to promote and enact accessible and inclusive tourism projects across the state to create memorable visitor experiences for leisure and business travelers.
The tourism projects are meant to align with Travel Oregon’s mission of creating a “welcoming destination where tourism drives economic prosperity, benefits the natural environment, and celebrates rich, diverse cultures,” according to a prepared statement released by Travel Oregon. The funding is centered on supporting the state’s underserved communities including people with disabilities, the state’s nine federally recognized Indigenous communities, LGBTQ+ communities, and others.
Recipients are in all seven of Oregon’s tourism regions, including the following:
Central Oregon
- City of Antelope
- High Desert Museum
Eastern Oregon
- Four Rivers Cultural Center and Museum
- Pendleton Chamber of Commerce/Travel Pendleton
Mount Hood and
Columbia River Gorge
- Friends of the Columbia Gorge
- Wilsonville Parks and Recreation/City of Wilsonville
Oregon Coast
- City of Waldport
- Coquille Indian Tribe
Portland Region
- Alberta Abbey Foundation
- Hoyt Arboretum Friends
Southern Oregon
- Elkton Community Education Center
- Mount Ashland Association
Willamette Valley
- Lane Arts Council
- The Oregon Garden Foundation
