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Figures hint at uptick in La Grande tourist numbers
Feb 14, 2012 (The Observer - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --
The La Grande City Council will hear a report on tourism from the Union County Chamber of Commerce in a work session tonight at City Hall.
Ahead of the meeting, Judy Hector, executive director of the chamber, submitted a written report that says transient room taxes collected by the city in calendar year 2011 totaled $257,582.
Hector said she doesn't have comparative figures to indicate whether collections are up or down from the previous calendar year, but the city's finance office said this morning there appears to be an upward trend as the recession eases.
The office reported that in fiscal year 2010, transient room taxes tallied just $203,300, but rose in fiscal year 2011 to $262,299.
At the same time, the chamber is reporting that area lodging businesses saw a lower occupancy rate in 2011 compared to 2010. Six of 11 lodging properties reported an average decrease of 3.57 percent. One lodging property reported a better occupancy rate in 2011, but did not provide exact figures.
In another area, the chamber is reporting that cooperative advertising with Anthony Lakes Ski Area, the Eagle Cap Excursion Train and other Union County businesses totaled $3,500 in 2011.
So far in 2012, $1,100 has been committed to a cooperative effort with the excursion train for an ad in the Travel Oregon Visitor Guide, and to a full-page ad in the Eastern Oregon Visitors Association 2012 guide.
The chamber was named the tourism promotions provider for both the city and Union County in August 2010. It works under the direction of a joint city-county tourism promotions advisory committee.
Hector's report says that since taking the leadership role in tourism promotion, the chamber has been mainly targeting Western Oregon with its advertising, with specific focus on the Portland area.
In addition, the chamber has advertised in newspapers and magazines in the Pacific Northwest, promoting Anthony Lakes Ski Area, the Eagle Cap Excursion Train and the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway.
Hector's report says the chamber has developed a new website to provide information on outdoor recreation, and revamped two others to streamline visitor information.
Looking ahead, the chamber report promises a continuing effort to reach travelers through modern technology, particularly taking advantage of the growing use of mobile phones. The chamber report cites a study that says Internet access by mobile users will exceed desktop users by mid-2013.
Tonight's work session gets underway at 6 p.m. at city hall. Other items on the agenda include the city council vacancy caused by the recent resignation of Silas Kelty, and an update on the Transportation Growth Management Plan.
___ (c)2012 The Observer (La Grande, Ore.) Visit The Observer (La Grande, Ore.)
at www.lagrandeobserver.com Distributed by MCT Information Services
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