Newport, Oregon    December 18, 1997:  For a number of years, visitors made phone calls to several individual cities making plans for their recreational  and business travel to Oregon�s Coast.  Now, the benefit of one-stop shopping is available for visitor information from Gold Beach to Astoria/Warrenton through the newly-formed Oregon Coast Visitors Association (OCVA).  A centralized toll-free number [1-888-628-2101] and Internet website (www.netbridge.net/ocva) are up and running under the management of the Central Oregon Coast Association (COCA in Lincoln County).  And, according to OCVA Contract Manager, Guy DiTorrice, all information services are provided at no-cost to interested Oregon Coast visitors.

The Newport-based operation covers the seven Oregon coastal counties (Clatsop, Tillamook, Lincoln, Lane, Douglas, Coos & Curry), spanning all 386-miles of Oregon coastline.  OCVA is represented by individual cities� Chambers of Commerce, Promotions Committees, Visitor & Convention Bureaus, Ports and related State agency supporters.  Current OCVA members include:
 
 

DiTorrice explains that in addition to the member organizations, two state agencies - Oregon State Parks & Recreation and Oregon Tourism Commission - actively support OCVA.

Visitors calling the OCVA toll-free number or using the website eMail inquiry form may request information on individual cities, a region or the entire coast.  Their mailing address is electronically distributed to appropriate members for processing.  Visitors are also asked about their month of travel, number in their travel party and special information they may desire (e.g. whale watching sites, hiking trails, events).

�The complete range of visitor information is available,� DiTorrice explains,  �covering outdoor recreation, public beach access, travel routes, special events, lodging and local restaurants.  In addition, we�ve centralized information on retail shopping locations, road and weather conditions, tides and the whole range of visitor-related information needs.�

Information requests are processed weekly, with immediate assistance available during regular weekday business hours.  �The website and toll-free numbers provide interested visitors with 24-hour, seven-day-a-week access to OCVA, its members and Oregon Coast information,�  he adds.  �The Oregon Coast has yet to develop a centralized accommodations reservation system.  So, many times, we�re phone linking to specific cities with visitors looking for rooms� usually on busy Friday afternoons.�

OCVA  officers also represent the cooperative spirit of the group as well as its geographic diversity, DiTorrice adds.  President Craig Tutor is the Marketing Manager for Oregon State Parks & Recreation; Secretary Roger Rocka administers the Astoria/Warrenton Chamber of Commerce; while Treasurer Mary Ann Stark manages the Tillamook Area Chamber of Commerce.  Board members, currently being nominated, represent all seven coastal Oregon counties as well as state and federal land management agencies along the Oregon coast.

The Oregon Coast Visitors Association is a regional destination marketing organization helping visitors planning trips to the state�s most visited outdoor recreation site - the Oregon Coast and all its public beaches.  Coastal Oregon information services are provided to interested visitors, travel writers and news media at no-cost.  OCVA may be reached by calling toll-free to 1-888-628-2101, email to �[email protected]� or on the Internet at �www.netbridge.net/ocva�.