Page 74 - Clackamas County Watertourism Strategic Plan. Final.v3

STRATEGIC PLAN FOR WATER-BASED TOURISM IN CLACKAMAS COUNTY, OREGON THE PEOPLE
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Only two variables, age and diversity of water sport preferences, were found to be significant when testing for frequency of overnight stays. All other variables tested have no
effect on whether the respondent is likely to stay overnight including: favorite water body, favorite sport, accommodation type, experience, zip code, household income, and sex.
So, while attraction to the Deschutes River and fishing activities was first thought to reduce the demand in Clackamas County for overnight stays, detailed regression analysis
showed that this was not the case. The reason water recreationists don’t stay overnight in Clackamas County is subtler than the obvious.

Anglers spend the most overnight stays of all groups, and they are the least likely to choose a
Clackamas County water body as their most frequent. Those who have a wider diversity of
sports, (less loyal to their favorite) are most likely to stay overnight more often. The visitors to
Clackamas County have more loyalty than the average respondent. Older visitors are more
likely to stay overnight more often, and Clackamas County attracts more younger visitors than
the average. Increasing overnight stays from water recreation visitors would require attracting
older visitors, those who prefer fishing, and those who perform more diversity of water sports.

The adage “if you build it they will come” is not true for water sports enthusiasts in Clackamas
County. Data indicates that, under existing market conditions, if additional hotels are added to
the stock they will not attract more water-based tourists. This statement should not be
interpreted as no market demand for additional hotels. The analysis does not show if other
travelers will be sufficient in size to make a new hotel financially sustainable. The results only
say that water tourism is not likely to generate additional room nights than what is being
generated today. Camping and campsite demand is a different story. Camping is in high
demand especially on the summer weekends, and additional campsites in the county are likely
to be filled. This statement is not shown in the survey results specifically but instead by
market research, site visits, and interviews. These data do show that camping is preferred
over hotels by twice as much across the entire market, so hotel demand cannot be used as a
proxy for campsite demand.

The financial viability of additional camping and hotel accommodations is dependent on the entire market, not just water-based tourism. While water-based tourists would likely
benefit from additional accommodations, an independent, and site specific, financial feasibility study on the accommodation in question is necessary to determine if it will be
successful.