Dean Runyan Associates report details positive impact of tourism on job creation, the local economy, and tax revenue to support government programs and local businesses
Beaverton, Ore. (Oct, 23 2022) – The Washington County Visitors Association (WCVA) — branded as “Tualatin Valley” to travelers, industry planners and group tour operators — recently released its annual report on tourism, which is compiled by Dean Runyan Associates, an independent firm that provides travel and tourism research, as well as economic impact analysis. The report concluded that direct travel impacts to Washington County in 2021 included $615.2 million in direct visitor spending in the county, as well as $254.6 million in total earnings (including wage/salaries, earned income and proprietor income). In addition, direct travel impacts included $13.2 million in local taxes generated, as well as 7,070 total tourism-related jobs.
“Hotels, motels, vacation rentals and other lodging properties are integral to our region’s economy,” said Dave Parulo, President and CEO of WCVA. “Tourism creates jobs, drives the local economy, enhances lifestyle and culture, and helps to support local government programs, nonprofits, and local businesses. Tourism also generates the transient lodging taxes (TLT) that play a key role in the economic prosperity of our communities.”
Overall, the 2021 visitor spending in Washington County includes:
- Accommodations: $136.4 million
- Food Service: $210.7 million
- Food Stores: $52.4 million
- Local Transportation/Gas Stations: $79.8 million
- Arts, Entertainment & Recreation: $35.1 million
- Retail: $100.8 million
Tourism and hospitality is one of Washington County’s top industries. According to tourism analysts Dean Runyan Associates, tourism is the 4th largest export-oriented industry in Oregon, behind manufacturing, microelectronics and agriculture.
In Washington County, tourism supports a wide range of organizations and businesses, including chambers of commerce and downtown associations, restaurants and food carts, museums and performing arts programs, and parks, trails and sports facilities.
As a not-for-profit and inclusive non-membership organization, the WCVA is fully funded by transient lodging taxes (TLT), a tax paid by visitors who stay in Washington County. Partnership opportunities are offered to tourism-related businesses at no cost.
About The Washington County Visitors Association
The Washington County Visitors Association (WCVA) is a non-profit destination marketing organization that serves the region’s tourism industry by actively promoting Washington County, Oregon (branded as “Tualatin Valley”) to business and leisure travelers, sports and event planners, meeting planners and group tour operators as a desired travel destination.
About Tualatin Valley
Tualatin Valley is scenically situated between Portland and the Oregon Coast in the Pacific Northwest. The valley is the gateway to the famed Willamette Valley wine country and the Tillamook Forest, and provides an array of outdoor recreation opportunities, scenic wetlands and wildlife preserves, performing and visual arts, superb dining, and tax-free shopping. The destination’s thriving business sector includes the Nike World Headquarters, Columbia Sportswear Corporate Headquarters, Leupold & Stevens Corporate Headquarters, Intel Corporate and numerous other high-tech businesses.
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Media Contacts:
Jane Wiley | Lawrence PR | email | (503) 901-7983
Sylke Neal-Finnegan | Washington County Visitors Association | email | (971) 245-3180