Page 43 - Clackamas County Watertourism Strategic Plan. Final.v3

STRATEGIC PLAN FOR WATER-BASED TOURISM IN CLACKAMAS COUNTY, OREGON THE PEOPLE
4-1

Chapter 4 THE PEOPLE

If Clackamas County wants to leverage its water recreation resources to increase
visitation and overnights stays, we must understand Oregonian’s preferences,
behaviors, and motivations for getting on the water. Why are people choosing water “This survey is the first of its kind in Oregon, focusing specifically on
recreation over other types? How often do they go and what do they like to do when all forms of water recreation in the State and resulting in detailed
they get there? What motivates them to stay overnight? How far are they willing to preferences on water recreation management, access, water
travel and with how many people? Of all the water recreation play spots in Oregon,
where are their favorite places and why? What are Clackamas County’s strengths and recreation behaviors, and demand for Clackamas County’s rivers,
weaknesses in attracting water recreationists? What is the overall demand for water lakes and Willamette Falls.”
recreation in Oregon and how well does Clackamas County supply that demand? This
Chapter describes the process and results of a statewide random sample survey of water recreationists in Oregon. This survey is the first of its kind in Oregon, focusing specifically
on all forms of water recreation in the State and resulting in detailed preferences on water recreation management, access, water recreation behaviors, and demand for
Clackamas County’s rivers, lakes and Willamette Falls.

Survey Objectives
The main objectives of this survey were to collect information from Oregon’s water recreation enthusiasts that would support a strategic plan for increasing water tourism in
Clackamas County. A water recreation enthusiast is simply someone who likes to play on the water. Regardless of their years of experience, skill level, frequency in which they
play on the water, or the type of activity, a water recreation enthusiast, for the purposes of this study, is someone who enjoys water-based recreation. They essentially represent
the market for water-based tourism in Clackamas County.

The survey questionnaire was designed to understand: where water recreation enthusiasts like to go to recreate; what they like to do on the water; their general preferences,
concerns, and behaviors on the water; their travel patterns such as distance, length of stay and accommodations; how knowledge and experience may affect their preferences;
and who they are demographically. The survey was also designed to understand how Clackamas County waterbodies compared to others in Oregon and if they have some type of
comparative advantage that may be leveraged in a strategic plan to increase visitation.