© 2024 | Jefferson Public Radio
Southern Oregon University
1250 Siskiyou Blvd.
Ashland, OR 97520
541.552.6301 | 800.782.6191
Listen | Discover | Engage a service of Southern Oregon University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Oregon Looks To Boost Tourism With 7 Large Murals In 7 Small Towns

Travel Oregon unveiled a new campaign Monday to boost tourism during the fall with seven large murals in seven small towns.

Lots of people visit Oregon, particularly from overseas. But that’s during the summer. Fall numbers drop off precipitously.

That’s why Travel Oregon is trying to boost tourism.

The hope is that visitors will travel to see the murals in towns like Roseburg, Ontario and Prineville.

Lisa Farquharson, the head of the Chamber of Commerce in The Dalles, has high hopes for the big salmon and river mural in her town.

“I think this is going to give us a huge boost. But fall is definitely when you start to see that tourism change and those numbers change. And that’s right when our businesses could use that boost before they go into winter,” said Farquharson.

At about $20,000 each, the murals are not cheap.

But Travel Oregon says for every $1 it spends on marketing, the state reaps about $157 from travelers.

<p>The head of Travel Oregon Linea Gagliano says for every $1 they spend on a marketing campaign, about $157 are brought in by travelers.</p>

Kristian Foden-Vencil

/

The head of Travel Oregon Linea Gagliano says for every $1 they spend on a marketing campaign, about $157 are brought in by travelers.

Copyright 2018 Oregon Public Broadcasting

Kristian Foden-Vencil is a reporter and producer for Oregon Public Broadcasting, a JPR news partner. His reporting comes to JPR through the Northwest News Network, a collaboration between public media organizations in Oregon and Washington..