Deschutes Co. Leaders Propose Tourism Council

A better way to communicate — that’s what Deschutes County commissioners said Thursday they want for Central Oregon’s tourism agencies. The hope is that events will be coordinated more smoothly, making the region an even better place to visit.

Commissioner Tammy Baney came up with the idea. She said she wanted to create a tourism council that will meet to discuss goal, and plans. It would focus on bringing visitors into the area and continue to boost an industry the region relies on.

“I really think having a roundtable conversation about what’s happening will really lend itself to good communication,” Baney said.

The tourism council would include agencies from Bend, Redmond, Sisters, Sunriver and La Pine, all working together.

The idea comes after two key players in the industry, the Central Oregon Visitors Association and Visit Bend, both submitted competing bids with conflicting schedules for two triathlon events.

“Really the discussion is, ‘Hey how’s it going, what are you working on, how are things going this summer?'” said Baney. “It would be an open conversation to really benefit one another.”

Visit Bend officials agree it would be more productive to work together, especially during the busy summer months, when there is a festival or event almost every weekend.

“We think it will stimulate conversation to really create better communication with the various marketing organizations in Deschutes County,” said Doug LaPlaca, president and CEO of Visit Bend.

There have been talks about merging Visit Bend and The Central Oregon Visitors Association. Bend City Councilor Mark Capell said that’s unfair to tourism agencies in other cities. At the same time though, he admits it could save tax dollars to promote the area.

For now, LaPlaca said he wants to focus on Bend.

“Our mission is to cultivate tourism for the city of Bend, but it would be helpful to have a platform where were can discuss and communicate with the other leaders throughout Deschutes County,” LaPlaca said.

With good communication, the leaders focus on the same goal: bringing visitors to Central Oregon.

Baney will be calling another meeting, inviting the leaders of all the tourism agencies in Central Oregon to sit down and talk about the process, in the coming weeks.