Tourism
Tourism is one of the largest industries in Central Oregon, contributing significantly to the local economy.
Tourism helps the City of Bend in many ways. When visitors stay in Bend hotels, vacation rentals, or other short-term lodgings, they pay a 10.4% visitor room tax. Most of this tax revenue, about 64.6%, goes into the City’s General Fund, which helps pay for essential services like police, fire departments, and road maintenance. The balance of the money is managed by Visit Bend to promote tourism and property improvements that create sustainable experiences in Bend, including marketing, and supporting projects like river access, upgrades to our local theater company, multiple trail construction and, and more.
Visitor Room Tax
Visitor Room Tax dollars are Room Tax dollars (TRT) are allocated and spent on various community and tourism-related projects, including: unrestricted funds that goes to the general fund and largely supports police, fire and roads. Restricted funds are used for tourism marketing and promotion, to support arts and culture initiatives, and projects that create sustainable experiences in Bend’s community Below is a graph that provides a detailed breakdown of how these tax dollars are distributed and used.
The City of Bend currently uses Visitor Room Tax dollars for both tourism promotion and tourism facilities. This includes conference or convention centers and any improved property that significantly supports tourism or tourist activities.
Visit Bend
Visit Bend is Bend’s destination marketing organization that boosts Bend’s economy by creating thoughtful initiatives focused on people and place. The City of Bend works with Visit Bend to promote tourism using funds generated by the Visitor Room Tax or called Transient Room Tax. Annually, Visit Bend requires the City Council’s endorsement for their business plan.
Each year, Visit Bend needs approval from the City Council for their business plan.
Visit Bend also offers two grant programs to support tourism in Bend. These grants are open to businesses, non-profits, government agencies, developers, and more:
- Bend Sustainability Fund: The Bend Sustainability Fund reinvests tax revenue generated by visitors into the places and spaces that are important to our community.
- Bend Cultural Tourism Fund: The Bend Cultural Tourism Fund is a grant program created to enhance Bend’s economy through cultural tourism. From musical productions to art exhibits to film festivals and more, the BCTF supports cultural opportunities that draw visitors to Bend. The program awarded $300,000 to cultural tourism organizations in 2024.
Organizing Events
When organizing an event in Bend, you may need to obtain a Special Event Permit from the city. This requirement varies based on the event’s scale, venue, and public accessibility. It’s important to note that events in public rights of way cannot proceed without this permit.
Visitors to Bend
Planning a trip to Bend? Our partners at Visit Bend have put together an amazing resource for wonderful things to do while visiting our beautiful city.