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Travel Lane County reports $29 million in transient lodging tax; board approves $51,161 for Mackenzie River tourism projects
Summary
Travel Lane County presented a semiannual report showing a strong TLT year and program plans to boost accessibility and shoulder-season visitation. The Board approved a $51,161 allocation to the Mackenzie River Rural Tourism Marketing Program and authorized a five-year services agreement.
Travel Lane County told the Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday that Lane County generated $29,000,000 in transient lodging tax (TLT) receipts for fiscal year 2024, and that the agency will receive roughly 4.3 percent of that total to fund destination marketing and development.
Samara Phelps, chief executive officer of Travel Lane County, said the county saw a sharp increase in TLT receipts between fiscal years 2023 and 2024 and cautioned the board that part of the increase reflects timing differences in remittance, not sustained year-over-year growth. “The total TLT generated in Lane County was 29,000,000,” Phelps said during her presentation, adding that TLT remains highly seasonal and the organization plans to focus on growing winter and shoulder-season demand to stabilize jobs and business revenue.
Why it matters: TLT funds marketing, event hosting and some destination development across Lane County; Travel Lane County said steadying winter visitation is essential to supporting the roughly 10,000 local hospitality jobs that depend on year-round demand.
Mackenzie River allocation: the board approved Board Order 25031107 to allocate $51,161 to the Mackenzie River Rural Tourism Marketing Program (RTMP) for 2025 and to enter a five-year services agreement with the Mackenzie River Chamber of Commerce to administer those funds. Jason Harris, Lane County community and economic development manager, and Samantha Roberts of the county's community economic development program told commissioners the chamber has administered RTMP funds for the region for many years and will use the 2025 allocation for marketing, shoulder-season events and website improvements. The motion to approve the allocation was moved by Commissioner Buck, seconded by Vice Chair Ryan Seneca, and passed 4-0 with Commissioner Pat Farr excused.
Program context and funding details: county staff said the RTMP distribution formula includes a base amount of $16,598 per qualifying community; the full countywide RTMP allocations for 2025 total $521,649. Travel Lane County reported that the county-level TLT receipts for fiscal year 2024 were $29,000,000 and that slight softening appears in early fiscal-year 2025 receipts. Phelps said Travel Lane County will pursue a destination master plan and targeted marketing for accessibility and winter events, including partnerships for Para National track and field and continued work to improve accessible visitor experiences.
Other discussion: commissioners asked for updates on several items the Travel Lane County presentation touched on, including Eugene Airport concourse expansion (staff said the project is in funding and planning phases) and short-term rental geography and metrics (Travel Lane staff said shapefiles and AirDNA-style data are available to analyze short-term rental locations and that the county and Travel Lane have provided data to cities such as Coburg and Dunes City).
Taper: travel-county staff said they will return with an annual report and follow-up briefings; the board approved the Mackenzie allocation and the five-year services approach during the March 11 meeting.
