Marion County Funding to Support Regional Tourism Marketing

Travel Salem’s current funding is generated through a variety of sources.

Aerial shot of Salem, Oregon by Tim King Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - Travel Salem, formerly Salem Convention and Visitors Association, has been awarded $72,000 from Marion County Economic Development funds for fiscal year 2008-09. Collected through Oregon lottery dollars, the Marion County funds will support Travel Salem’s objective to be competitive in the region and state; promoting Salem and Marion County as a destination for tourism, meetings and conventions. This funding also leverages Travel Salem matching funds of $496,600.

“With Lane County to the south and Washington, Multnomah and Clackamas County to the north, we must do everything possible to obtain our market share. Visitors are coming to Oregon, and we need to attract them to Marion County. Supporting Travel Salem is right in line with and supports all our other economic development initiatives. By working together, we can achieve synergy and economies of scale,” said Marion County Commissioner Janet Carlson.

“Marion County’s partnership allows Travel Salem to implement regional programs targeted at increasing jobs and visitor expenditures benefiting the entire region,” said Angie Morris, Travel Salem’s chief executive officer. “Tourism is a very competitive industry, and by working together we can enhance this region’s profile and attract new business, visitors and events,” said Morris.

Regional funding from Marion County will support the following three key areas:

* Regional Public Relations Campaign –– Gain positive exposure and visibility for the area that showcases livability, community assets and economic development opportunities. Strategies include promoting area attractions to local, regional and national media, development of a web-based campaign using social media, and provide public relations expertise and service to nonprofit organizations, businesses and communities.

* Visitor Information Network –– Create system for delivering visitor information through new visitor information portals along I-5 and throughout region; a centralized downtown Salem Travel Café; innovations in resources and technology; and key partnerships to showcase opportunities.

* Marketing Support for Marion County Communities –– Enhance ability of rural communities to participate in marketing programs and services.

Travel Salem’s programs are comprehensive solutions that provide Marion County with:

* Significant return on investment

* Job creation

* Opportunities that enhance all economic development initiatives

* Innovative marketing and public relations efforts Travel Salem’s current funding is generated through a variety of sources.

The majority of the Association’s funds are through the City of Salem TOT revenues, also known as lodging tax, which is generated by visitors to Salem that utilize hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts and RV sites.

Membership and sponsorship dollars are also an important element to Travel Salem’s budget. Marion County’s partnership joins these funds to enable Travel Salem to promote beyond Salem’s city limits and showcase the region. "I've been so pleased with the work done by Travel Salem,” said Marion County Commissioner Patti Milne.

“They are positioned to make a major impact with new strategies that reach far beyond previous goals. I'm a strong believer in smart economic development, and Travel Salem’s innovative approach will bring new dollars and necessary diversity into our economy."

Source: www.TravelSalem.com

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