Page 58 - Rural Tourism Report Washington County

CHAPTER 3: THE WASHINGTON COUNTY RURAL TOURISM SECTOR

Based on information gleaned from the above resources and others,
successful rural tourism approaches appear to share certain attributes
and practices that could translate in Washington County as follows:

1. Advocacy for rural economies
The primary goal of rural tourism worldwide is to increase the incomes

and economic activity of rural farms and communities. For Washington
County, the primary goal could be to preserve the rural land base,
especially through diversification of small and mid-size farm incomes.
Washington County does not have an economic development staff, nor
a tourism staff as part of county government. The Washington County
Visitors Association (WCVA) is “the primary destination marketing
organization for Washington County, Oregon, and markets the
destination, its attractions and activities to leisure and business travelers
around the globe.”

2. Strategic and policy support over time
Examples of high-level policy development and support are apparent
at national, state, and local levels within exemplary rural tourism

programs previously discussed. Washington County could consider
an affirmative policy to support rural tourism over time while not
diminishing the overall farm economy.

3. Partnerships
Partnerships at the state, regional, county, and city levels, and between
public agencies, tourism associations and promotional organizations,
land and venue owners, chefs, tour operators, and transportation
providers, can enhance rural tourism opportunities and help manage
risks and impacts. Both Georgia and Vermont focus on building regional

networks to connect and promote rural tourism attractions. Washington
County has an active and impressive nonprofit visitors association,
WCVA, and is fortunate to be close to Portland and its suburbs which
serve as gateways to rural attractions. The County and WCVA might
consider partnering with local cities and forming a local rural tourism
stakeholder advisory group to support rural tourism. Travel Oregon’s
Rural Tourism Studio program (quasi state government) provides
resources for collaboration.

54 WASHINGTON COUNTY RURAL TOURISM STUDY