Page 68 - Rural Tourism Report Washington County

CHAPTER 3: THE WASHINGTON COUNTY RURAL TOURISM SECTOR

4. Peer support systems. Networks of professionals, farm families, 5. Adequate rural lodging and
staff, and neighbors provide support when problems are encountered culinary options. The traveling
or when opportunities exist for professional improvement or jointly public is looking for unique

funded development and marketing projects. In Washington County, rural lodging venues and rural
some organized network examples are Tri County Farm Fresh Foods, culinary experiences. Bed and
the Chehalem Wine Growers Association, and the Washington County breakfast facilities (often called
Farm Bureau. “farm stays” when on farmland)
and country inns in small rural
Less formal neighbor groups also support each other by offering a communities serve this market.
helping hand when the need arises and by referring business. On the Support for these types of
other hand, some neighbors or family members may have concerns facilities, currently scarce in
about certain rural tourism business practices. “Good neighbor” Washington County’s rural areas,
training programs can improve neighborhood dialogue and consensus could magnify local economic
in matters of rural tourism. gains by allowing travelers to

linger longer and visit other
rural tourism attractions in the
surrounding community during
their stay.

David Hill Vineyard. Photo courtesy of Washington County Visitors Association

64 WASHINGTON COUNTY RURAL TOURISM STUDY