The Oregon Tourism Commission, which does business as Travel Oregon, is a semi-independent agency of the government of Oregon based in the state capital of Salem.[1] The agency is run by a nine-member board appointed by the governor,[2] and governs several programs that work to grow the state economy by promoting tourism.[3] Governor John Kitzhaber has said that the tourism industry "is an important part of Oregon's economy that generates nearly $9 billion in the state."[2] The agency was created by the Oregon Legislature in 2003, and is funded by a 1% statewide transient lodging tax.[4]
Travel Oregon partners with the Oregon Travel Information Council, another semi-independent state agency, to provide information to travelers on Oregon's highways.[5]