Transportation & Tourism Task Force

The year 2006 saw the creation of a state-wide public/private partnership that is dedicated to advancing Oregon’s Tourism industry. Named the “Transportation and Tourism Task Force”, the group’s mission is:

“To facilitate a continued public-private partnership between government and the transportation and tourism industries that promotes and encourages the continued development of Oregon’s tourism industry”

The Task Force is comprised of leadership from a comprehensive group of industry and government stake-holders. Among the members are leadership and top level management from Travel Oregon, Oregon Department of Transportation, the Oregon Travel Information Council, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Oregon Department of Aviation, Oregon Economic and Community Development Department, the Federal Highway Administration, OACVB, ORA, OLA, and many others. These extraordinary thinkers come to the table each quarter to work together to fulfill the Task Force’s mission.

Motivated by the significant economic benefit travel and tourism bring to Oregon, and by the commitment the state has made to the industry through the Tourism Investment Program, the first meetings were held at the request the Oregon Transportation Commission. Momentum began to build through the 2006 assemblies, and with each successive gathering, the group progressed in finding form and focus. It rapidly coalesced into a unified Transportation and Tourism Task Force by August of 2006. Just two months later in October of 2006, Governor Ted Kulongoski officially sanctioned the group by issuing Executive Order 06-14.

The Executive Order established priority projects for the group to address. Chief among them are projects that will amplify visitor services in Southern Oregon, will bring consistency of message and signing to visitor information venues, will address rest area safety, will leverage all resources for common goals, and will support ODOT in their transportation/tourism strategic plans.