Last year, TSOC collaborated with Oregon's Adventure Coast to welcome travel writer Matt Wastradowski as he explored the SOC. Inspired by his journey, Matt wrote "Paddlers Find Plenty to Love on the Southern Oregon Coast," featured in the March 29 issue of Northwest Travel & Life magazine. We extend a special thanks to Dave Lacey and South Coast Tours for their outstanding guidance and support, which played a pivotal role in the realization of this article.

Matt's article transports readers to the rich and varied ecosystems of the Southern Oregon Coast, illuminating the exhilarating adventures that stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), canoeing, and kayaking offer. Dive into his experiences across the tranquil flatwater of the South Slough Reserve and Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, the exhilarating whitewater kayaking adventures on the Lower Rogue and Chetco Rivers, and the breathtaking open-ocean journeys along the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor and the rugged coastlines near Port Orford.

TSOC is excited to announce its sponsorship of the 19th Annual Paddling Film Festival, taking place at the Chetco Brewing Company in Brookings on May 4th. This year’s festival promises an exhilarating lineup of 29 paddling films, carefully selected for the World Tour. Attendees will enjoy a blend of thrilling whitewater adventures, explorations of remote sea coastlines, daring northern river canoe expeditions, captivating international river travel films, thought-provoking environmental documentaries, and intense kayak fishing competitions.

New this year, the Paddling Film Festival begins with a Community Paddle along the Chetco River. On the morning of May 4, join fellow paddlers at the Chetco River boat launch with your preferred paddling gear. It's a fantastic opportunity to connect with like-minding paddling enthusiasts to enjoy a tranquil morning paddle on a beautiful river.

Did you know that your business, event, or attraction can gain exposure across state and regional websites with a single submission? TSOC has now simplified this process by creating an online questionnaire. Filling out the form enables TSOC to smoothly upload your details to the Oregon Tourism Information System (OTIS) database, expanding your reach to a broader audience.

Covering lodging, dining, events, attractions, tours, and more, OTIS acts as a central hub for sharing and organizing tourism resources throughout Oregon. This collaborative system drives tourism listings on TravelOregon.com and affiliated websites within the tourism sector, including TSOC's.

Check your listing by searching travelsouthernoregoncoast.com. Whether you've never been included or just need to spruce up your current listing, you can use this new form. When you're ready to be visible, simply enter your details and we'll take care of the rest. It's that easy!

Governor Kotek recently signed SB 1576 into law, a measure that temporarily reinstates recreational immunity. This is a pivotal step in keeping Oregon's trails accessible, reversing recent closures, and ensuring the continuation of local trail enhancement and development initiatives.

The Oregon Coast Visitors Association (OCVA) estimated 22 trails along the coast temporarily closed due to a lawsuit against Newport. Some cities and counties opted to keep trails open and inform the public about potential risks through media announcements and trail signage. The City of Coos Bay, for instance, communicated to the public that the use of paths, trails, recreational areas, and all other access ways to these spaces is solely at the user's own risk. Other communities adopted a wait-and-see strategy.

SB 1576A updates Oregon's recreational immunity law for public and private lands, in effect until January 2026. It clarifies that immunity applies to all trails, whether improved or not, and explicitly protects activities such as walking, biking, and running. The inclusion of a sunset clause facilitated its fast passage as an emergency bill. However, it underscores the need for a lasting solution to secure recreational immunity in Oregon long-term.

A recent study by the OCVA revealed that the South Coast's economy is increasingly dependent on retirement and public benefit programs for income. The data presented in the graph above illustrates this trend. From 2003 to 2021, the proportion of income derived from conventional employment dropped by 5% to 8%. Conversely, there was a surge of 12% to 18% in transfer income from social programs, indicating an increase in retirees and families receiving public assistance.

OCVA Executive Director Marcus Hinz said. “The information can support and help us understand the implications of change, how proper planning can sustain and acceptably grow coastal economies, protect coastal livability, and manage human and environmental resources.”

Joe Benetti-Coos Bay Mayor • Amy Bailey-The Mill Casino • Forrest Neuerburg-City of Coquille • Margaret Pounder-Bandon Chamber of Commerce • Janice Langlinais-Coos Bay-North Bend Visitor & Convention Bureau • Rodger Craddock-Southwest Oregon Regional Airport • Miranda Plagge-Travel Curry Coast • Marie Simonds-Bandon Dunes Charitable Foundation • Michael Chupka-Bandon Dunes Golf Resort • Rod Taylor-County Commissioner • Dave Lacey-Oregon Coast Visitors Association • Miles Phillips-Oregon State University