Tourism Impact Numbers for Washington County, Ore., Released
BEAVERTON, Ore. (May 21, 2024) – Tualatin Valley continues to attract a growing number of visitors, marking a significant milestone in its tourism sector’s economic contribution. The recent release of the preliminary report by Dean Runyan Associates, a Portland-based economic and marketing research firm, and commissioned by Travel Oregon, highlights the substantial impact of tourism on Washington County, Ore.
In 2023, Washington County saw a notable increase in visitor numbers, with nearly 3.2 million overnight visitors recorded, representing a 3.7 percent rise compared to 2022.
Total in-county visitor spending, including spending by day visitors, topped $756.4 million, a record high and five percent increase over 2022. The overall spending in 2023 bested the previous record high of $749.1 million, set in 2019.
The report indicates that the local tourism industry has become a significant employer with 8,700 jobs attributed to tourism-related activities, an increase of 230 jobs from the previous year. Furthermore, every $93,284 in visitor spending supported one job, demonstrating the sector’s vital role in employment generation.
Total tax revenue generated from tourism spending in 2023 amounted to $49.8 million, with $17.9 million contributing to local tax revenue and $32 million to state tax revenue.
“These latest findings underscore travel’s pivotal role in driving economic prosperity for Washington County,” said Dave Parulo, president and CEO of Explore Tualatin Valley, the organization responsible for marketing Washington County, Oregon, as a tourism destination. “The comprehensive report emphasizes the profound impact of tourism on our region, affirming our commitment to fostering sustainable growth and memorable experiences for visitors from near and far.”
While the overall tourism figures paint a positive picture, according to STR Global, which tracks hotel performance data, 2023 saw a slight decline in Washington County’s hotel performance. Total occupancy in 2023 was 67.6 percent, a three percent decrease over 2022. Hotel revenue per available room (or RevPAR) was $88.71, a slight decrease (0.2 percent) from 2022. Washington County has 56 hotel properties, and total room inventory in the county is 5,914.
A “visitor” is defined as a person who travels at least 50 miles beyond their residence, and includes overnight and day visitors. An overnight visitor is defined as an individual or party who stays in an accommodation–hotel, short-term vacation rental, campground or private home–in the destination they are visiting.
For more information and detailed statewide tourism impacts, please refer to the full report released by Travel Oregon in May.
Washington County, Oregon, Tourism Impacts at a Glance
- Overnight visitors: 3.2 million
- In-destination spending: $756.4 million
- Tourism-related jobs: 8,700
- Total tax revenue: $49.8 million (Local: $17.9 million; State: $32 million)
Sources: “The Economic Impact of Travel,” Dean Runyan Associates (DRA), April 2024
STR, January 2024
Full Washington County Report >>>
About Explore Tualatin Valley
Explore Tualatin Valley is the destination marketing organization for Washington County, Ore., promoting the county under the destination brand 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, and superb wine and culinary experiences, as well as tax-free shopping. The destination’s thriving business sector includes Nike World Headquarters, Columbia Sportswear Corporate Headquarters, Leupold & Stevens Corporate Headquarters, Intel research and manufacturing and numerous other high-tech businesses. The mission of Explore Tualatin Valley is to inspire individual and group consumers to visit the Tualatin Valley, making a sustained and measurable economic impact on the community through tourism.
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