Visit the Central Cascades Geotourism Region
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The sheer beauty and grandeur of the Central Cascades of Oregon and Washington will make any visitor give pause. But the many stories resting in the region’s foothills, high desert and mountain communities will inspire you to linger and explore. The National Geographic Society has collaborated with community members of the Central Cascades – from Mt. Rainier to Crater Lake National Park -- to illuminate the places and experiences that residents think are special. Visit www.TheCentralCascades.com to learn more about the region and find out the best places to visit from the locals.
Sustainable travel is a cornerstone of geotourism, a form of travel that aims to sustain or enhance the geographical character of a place—its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage and the well-being of its residents. The Central Cascades Geotourism Mapguide is an important component of Oregon and Washington’s ongoing sustainable tourism plans. Other initiatives are highlighted below:
Oregon Sustainable Travel Initiatives
Since passing America’s first bottle deposit law back in 1971, the State of Oregon has been a trailblazer in both land preservation and sustainability. In 2003, the Oregon Tourism Commission commissioned research on national and international best practices in tourism to shape a set of sustainable tourism principles to guide local tourism planning.
These principles have since been refined by the by the Oregon Sustainable Tourism Advisory Committee and reviewed by the Oregon Tourism Commission.
Today, Travel Oregon is putting these principles into practice in many ways. Initiatives include:
-Adoption of sustainable practices in the daily operation and programs of Travel Oregon, including reduction of the office’s carbon footprint
-Establishment of the Oregon Rural Tourism Studio to assist rural communities interested in sustainable tourism development through an intensive 8-day training program.
-Development of new sustainable tourism offerings throughout the state, including:
Bicycle tourism: RideOregonRide.com
Culinary and agri-tourism: TravelOregon.com/Bounty
Birding & wildlife watching: OregonBirdingTrails.org
Tribal tourism: Download the Travel Guide to Oregon Indian Country (pdf)
Outdoor recreation: found throughout TravelOregon.com
-Education of Oregon travelers on how to be sustainable, “green” travelers
-Promotion of Oregon as one of North America’s most sustainable tourism destinations
© 2010 Travel Oregon and Experience Washington in association with National Geographic
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