‘River Canyon Country’ tourism workshops due

A Rural Tourism Studio is being offered in the newly created River Canyon Country (Madras, Prineville, Warm Springs, Terrebonne, and surrounding area) starting in early November.

This is a program offered by Travel Oregon to assist in developing a vibrant tourism and recreation economy in the River Canyon Country and is open to anyone in the area. This program is only offered in two locations in Oregon each year.

The Rural Tourism Studio begins November 6 and offers eight days of interactive and productive sessions alternating between Madras and Prineville.

The program kicks off with a two-day community tourism visioning and planning session, followed by sessions focusing on cultural and agri-tourism, outdoor recreation, and bicycle tourism.

Community leaders, business entrepreneurs, tour operators, lodging property owners, land managers, guides, outdoor enthusiasts, restaurateurs, event producers, and anyone with an interest in strengthening the local economy through tourism are encouraged to participate in the program.

Events are free; there is a $5 fee for each workshop to help cover meal costs. It is recommended that all participants attend all workshops and events to maximize the impact of the program.

The following is a list of workshops and events offered in the Rural Tourism Studio for River Canyon Country:

Nov 6-Community Tourism Visioning Event
Nov 7-Community Tourism Planning Workshop Dec 4-Cultural & Agri-Tourism Development Workshop Dec 5-Tourist for a Day Field Session Workshop
Jan 8-Outdoor Recreation Development Workshop & Un-Cork Your Business’ Tourism Potential Event! Jan 9-Bicycle Tourism Development Workshop Jan 29-Rural Tourism Marketing on a Shoestring Workshop Jan 30-Teaming for Success Workshop & Community Tourism Kickoff Event!

This program is offered with support from a local steering committee including representatives from Warm Springs, Prineville, Madras, Culver, Terrebonne, and Powell Butte. To register for the program, fill out our online registration form available at http://Industry.TravelOregon.com/RTS. For questions about the local program, contact Joe Becker at the Prineville-Crook County Chamber of Commerce at director@visitprineville.org, 541-447-6304 or Joe Krenowicz at the Madras Chamber of Commerce at director@madraschamber.com, 541-475-2350.