The state of Oregon is continuing to gain traction with its Why Guides? campaign and is encouraging travel agents to book local, export ready guiding companies when building an itinerary for their clients.

‘If people use a guide they tend to behave and respect the environment, but at the same time they are supporting a small local business,’ says Greg Eckhart, director global sales at Oregon Tourism Commission.

A long term relationship with the New Zealand and Australian markets and the trade here continues to pay off for the US state of Oregon, says Todd Davidson, chief executive officer of the Oregon Tourism Commission. Davidson says Australasia is now the fifth largest overseas market for Oregon, spending US$42 million dollars a year there. Traffic from the combined markets grew by 53% from 2013 to 2018.