Oregon coast launches daily Denver flights and tourism initiatives

The North Bend City Council Work Session held on March 24, 2025, focused on several key initiatives aimed at boosting tourism and community engagement in the region.

The meeting began with an announcement regarding the new daily flight service from Oth to the Oregon coast, set to commence on May 22 and run through October 26. This service marks a significant increase from the previous schedule of two flights per week, providing a direct travel option for visitors. The city plans to launch a large advertising campaign in the Denver market to attract tourists who may not have considered visiting the Oregon coast due to previous travel inconveniences.

In addition to the flight service, the council discussed preparations for the upcoming League of Oregon Cities conference, which will be hosted in North Bend. Local businesses are collaborating to create 300 welcome bags for conference attendees, highlighting the community's hospitality.

The council also announced that North Bend will host the Oregon Regional Special Olympics competitions for track and field and bocce ball on June 21. The event will require 75 to 100 volunteers, and the council expressed enthusiasm about this being the first time the regionals have been held outside of Ashland.

Another significant topic was the redesign of the Visitor and Convention Bureau (VCB) website, which has not been updated since 2018. The new design will incorporate enhanced accessibility features, supported by a grant from Travel Oregon to help cover the costs.

Lastly, the council reviewed recent advertising efforts, noting a shift away from print materials in favor of digital strategies, including the use of QR codes to direct potential visitors to videos and the VCB website. The winter storm watching campaign was also highlighted as a successful initiative.

Overall, the meeting underscored North Bend's commitment to enhancing tourism and community involvement, with several exciting events and projects on the horizon.