Page 115 - Rural Tourism Report Washington County

CHAPTER 5: ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS

Trends Likely to Increase Demand for
Rural Tourism

Some farmers, especially in the small farm sector,
are interested in diversifying farm income and will
likely increase the supply of rural tourism activities
in the future. According to interviews and focus
groups conducted by the consulting team and
research by Clackamas County for the Agricultural
Investment Plan, small farm owners are vitally
interested in diversifying their income streams to

support continued farm ownership and economic
viability. This interest will increase the supply of
existing rural tourism attractions and result in the
creative generation of new rural tourism attractions. Photo courtesy of Hornings Hideout
• Proximity to the Portland metropolitan area,
According to research contained in Chapters 2 and as a source of and gateway for visitors, will
3, there are several trends that can or are likely increase demand over time.
to impact or increase demand for rural tourism • Growing public interest in local healthy food
experiences in Washington County. Trends include:
and connecting with farmers creates demand
• Continuing demand for agricultural products for rural tourism experiences.
for regional, national, and global markets • Growing popularity of culinary tourism and
is expected to make rural agricultural local food specialties is creating a new market
production a major part of the economy.
for rural tourism.
• Population and demand for rural tourism will • Continuing growth of the regional wine
increase possibly resulting in conflicts between industry will increase demands for diverse
production agricultural and rural tourism.
winery-based rural tourism experiences.
• Expanded commuting and rural tourism will • Increasing interest in farm/ranch stays
increase impacts on rural roads and may vacations, weddings, retreats/events will
increase use conflicts.
increase demand for rural tourism.
• The aging of the current generation of According to interviews with farmers for this project,
farmers over the next 20 years may attract there are also counter trends, with some farmers
new investment and farm ownership with expressing concern that increases in rural tourism
increasing interest in rural tourism.
activities can negatively impact their ability to
• An improved economy, with an increase efficiently farm their properties. A few examples
in discretionary income, will increase the of potential conflicts between rural tourism and
demand for rural tourism. farming are outlined in Table 5.3.

WASHINGTON COUNTY RURAL TOURISM STUDY 111