|

General Profile
As Oregon's economy continues to diversify, tourism plays a vital role in creating new job opportunities and strengthening local and regional economies.
In 1996, an estimated $4.5 billion was generated in Oregon by visitor expenditures, which represents a 36 percent increase since 1991. This significant growth in Oregon's visitor industry confirms that tourism is a key component of the state's economy.
In addition to direct impacts, employment and revenue in support sectors such as business services, utilities and personal services are significant. In 1995, the total of direct and indirect sales was approximately $8.8 billion. The sectors of Oregon's economy which received the highest levels of indirect and induced impacts from tourism expenditures were in the finance, insurance, real estate, medical and legal, retail sales, manufacturing and other services classifications.
Oregon's visitor industry provides important entry-level jobs as well as increasing opportunities in managerial and professional positions. It also provides important transferable skills and employment for women and minorities entering the job market.
Interestingly, tourism employment has grown at a slower rate than payroll and travel spending, which in part reflects rising average wage rates in the industry. As the Oregon visitor industry matures, so do the quantity and quality of jobs.
Between 1991 and 1996, growth in the tourism industry in Oregon has shown substantial increases, as indicated by the statistics below, not adjusted for inflation (prepared by Dean Runyan Associates):
| |
| Tourism Direct Economic Impacts |
| 1991: |
$3.3 billion |
| 1995: |
$4.2 billion |
| 1996p*: |
$4.5 billion |
| 36% increase |
| Total Direct and Indirect Impacts, 1995: $8.8 billion |
| |
| Tourism Employment |
| 1991: |
57,580 people |
| 1995: |
66,130 people |
| 1996p*: |
69,680 people |
| 21% increase |
| |
| Tourism Payroll |
| 1991: |
$646,840,000 |
| 1995: |
$837,500,000 |
| 1996p*: |
$889,800,000 |
| 37.5% increase |
Average Tourism Industry Wage (estimated in 1996 dollars; based on survey of tourism businesses, 1989)
$13,845 (28.6 hours/week; $9.31/hour)
$21,277 (adjusted full-time equivalent, including tip income)
Average Tourism Proprietor Family Income (estimated in 1996 dollars)
$43,917
|
| State Tax Receipts |
| 1991: |
$82,350,000 |
| 1995: |
$115,640,000 |
| 1996p*: |
$115,800,000 |
| 41% increase |
| |
| Local Tax Receipts |
| 1991: |
$33,660,000 |
| 1995: |
$47,920,000 |
| 1996p*: |
$52,000,000 |
| 54.5% increase |
| |
| Visitor Volume |
Total visitor volume, 1996: 27.7 million visits (estimate)
10.7 million out-of-state visitors
17.0 million in-state visits
|
|
| 1991: |
7.3 million out-of-state visitors |
| 1996: |
10.7 million out-of-state visitors (estimate) |
| 46.5% increase |
| |
| Average Daily Visitor Expenditures |
| Out of-state visitors: $84/day/person |
| In-state visitors: $52/day/person |
| |
| International visitors, 1995: |
| 311,000 Canadians |
| 248,000 Overseas |
| |
| International Average Daily Visitor Expenditures |
| $96/day/person |
*p = preliminary |
|