Oregon Coast Visitors Association

🙌 Great work, Jamie McMurray!

We're so proud to be working with GLP Films and all our partners across the Oregon Coast to raise awareness and increase the availability of accessible amenities for visitors and residents alike. It's so encouraging to see business leaders from all parts of the tourism industry coming together to prioritize this work, and we can't wait to share our exciting collaboration on a campaign that will highlight that work with a focus on the intersection of sustainable tourism, inclusion, and accessibility here on the Oregon Coast. 🌊

Are you registered for the 2024 People's Coast Summit? You won't want to miss this end-of-season tourism gathering taking place from October 8-9 in Florence. This year's agenda is packed with insight from some incredible speakers, whole will cover topics like crisis communications, strengthening Oregon’s coastal hospitality industry, AI and tourism, Indigenous perspectives on sustainable/regenerative tourism, and more! Check out the event below for a full agenda of sessions and workshops. We'll see you in Florence!

👏 What a great shoutout for all the work Arica Sears is doing to champion travelabilty on the Oregon Coast!

"Aside from the social, ethical, and environmental imperatives to act, travel and tourism businesses should also consider the impacts of climate crises on their operations...applying principles of climate justice will enable the industry to better position its investments and futureproof its relevance through empowering and centring the communities and ecosystems upon which travel experiences are based." A timely report from The Travel Foundation, the University of Waterloo, Tourism Cares, the Center for Responsible Travel (CREST) and Cuidadores de Destinos, and Expedia Group, highlights the role the travel industry must play in delivering a just climate transition, and why businesses should be engaging in this conversation. As a coastal tourism organization, the report reinforces the urgency of impacts that we foresee on the coast as frequent and severe weather events increase, and the actions we are taking to encourage sustainable travel and strengthen our communities. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gbpp-ZSv

Mobi-mats just rolled out in Gold Beach! These are the first mats installed this summer as part of our Mobi-mat funding, and we're so excited to see the applications continue to to come in. Keep an eye out, because more More Mobi-mats are coming your way soon! A huge thanks to all the partners that came together to install these mats, and who are supporting the implementation of better accessibility all along the coast. Learn more about the Mobi-mat grant here: https://lnkd.in/e2Htnj8i

"Looking ahead, our focus involves highlighting the intersection of travelability and climate action. Recognizing a gap in stories within this space, we believe the Oregon Coast can play a pivotal role, with disabled travelers leading the way in sustainable travel initiatives." Excited to share a TravelAbility Insider feature of our Deputy Director Arica Sears! In her interview, she talks all-things accessibility including wins like Wheel the World partnerships and Mobi-mats, long term goals for the coast, challenges and more. https://lnkd.in/gc7TdNaD

All things cycling, all in one place! It's been a big year for cycling on the coast, with our sponsorship of Mountain Bike Oregon, Ride the Dirt Wave, and our partnership with Dirty Freehub to scout and map gravel routes all along the coast. We're excited to share our new cycling webpage, which details all the latest on gravel routes, Mountain Bike trail areas, fat biking, and more. Check out the routes in your region, stay tuned as we continue to add to these lists, and look out for the official Oregon Coast Gravel Guidebook, which will be available later this year! https://lnkd.in/g7dw4chU

Call for Sponsors: Be a part of the 2024 People's Coast Summit! Our annual People’s Coast Summit is a two-day, end-of-season tourism industry gathering for you to enjoy delicious food and great company while engaging in helpful workshops and inspiring talks that you can take with you into next season. For partners who want to get even more involved, we are offering various sponsorship levels to suit your goals and budget, including exclusive benefits such as logo placement on event materials, complimentary summit registrations, and opportunities for direct engagement with attendees. Sponsorship offers a great opportunity for you to gain brand visibility, engage in networking opportunities, be seen as an industry leader, and make a community impact. Learn more about becoming a sponsor, and here and register for the event here: https://lnkd.in/ge6APfAa

Oregon’s underwater forests are vanishing. Can they be saved? The disappearance of kelp – amid the rise and dominance of purple urchins – is being felt all along Oregon’s southern shores. In a recent Oregonian story, OCVA's South Coast Stewardship Destination Coordinator Dave Lacey was highlighted for his role in the efforts to restore Oregon's kelp forests. Dave is a captain and a member of the The Oregon Kelp Alliance, which is led by Tom Calvanese and supported by dedicated locals who are all taking action to combat these changes. Dave shared how the loss of kelp has impacted local tourism and fisheries, recalling the once-thriving kelp forests where he used to lead fishing tours. The team's work now includes removing invasive urchins and exploring innovative restoration techniques to help rejuvenate the kelp habitats. To learn more about this critical conservation effort, read the full story: https://lnkd.in/g4qttBCb