When people travel to Oregon — whether to ski at Mt. Bachelor, marvel at the Oregon coast sunsets or dine in Portland — they do more than just enjoy the views and award-winning cuisine. They invest in Oregon’s future. Since 2017, ten percent of Travel Oregon’s annual budget has been dedicated by state statute to a Competitive Grants Program designed to enhance, expand and promote Oregon’s tourism industry. To date, more than $26.4 million has been awarded to support hundreds of projects across the state, benefiting residents and visitors alike. In addition, $62.3 million has been reinvested into local communities through regional tourism programming and initiatives.
In 2024-25 alone, Travel Oregon awarded nearly $6.2 million through its Competitive Grants program to 65 projects that highlight access, inclusion and cultural storytelling.
Through a Travel Oregon grant awarded to Brandie McNamee of Antelope DarkSky Oregon, Antelope became the first International Dark Sky Community certified in Oregon. It is also the fifth Dark Sky Place in the state, following Oregon Caves National Monument, Oregon Outback, Prineville Reservoir and Sunriver.
Across the state, similar stories are unfolding. In Portland, Travel Oregon provided $500,000 toward the creation of the James Beard Public Market, which will establish a new world-class destination in downtown Portland for local foodies and culinary travelers from around the globe to enjoy Oregon’s bounty.
On the Oregon Coast, new investments are making the region more accessible and sustainable. The North Coast Express, a seasonal hop-on-hop-off shuttle, offers car-free connections from the Portland metro area to beloved beach towns like Cannon Beach and Astoria. Travel Oregon also invested $100,000 in the Oregon Coast Aquarium to transform the visitor experience at the touch pools, creating a more accessible exhibit with more animals and new ways to learn about marine life in tide pools. The enhancements are inspiring conservation and stewardship for oceans.
In Eastern Oregon, projects are fostering deeper cultural understanding and access to nature. A $120,000 grant for the Joseph Branch Trail Consortium is supporting a new ADA-accessible trail connecting visitors to the Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland.
In addition, Travel Oregon has invested more than $7.1 million in nearly 50 communities across the state through a partnership with Wheel the World, making Oregon the first state to become Accessibility Verified by the trusted accessible travel platform. This effort is expanding inclusive travel opportunities for people with disabilities while also benefiting older adults, families with young children and anyone navigating temporary mobility challenges.
All of these projects share a common thread: tourism dollars at work. Whether it’s a new trail, cultural festival or enhanced public space, Travel Oregon’s grants are making Oregon more accessible, inclusive and enriching. For travelers, they offer new reasons to explore — while for residents, they reflect a commitment to shared prosperity and pride of place.
When we invest in tourism, we invest in community. And across Oregon, those investments are creating a more welcoming, connected and vibrant future.
