Travel Oregon Signs Tourism Pacts With Seven Tribes
The first-of-their-kind Memorandums of Understanding were developed with the Tribal Tourism Working Group.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Native American
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The Oregon Tourism Commission, doing business as Travel Oregon, signed Memorandums of Understanding with seven of the nine federally recognized Tribes in Oregon. The agreements are the first of their kind and formalize the partnership between the Tribes and the state's tourism industry.
Why it matters
The agreements establish a formal framework for how Tribal culture and heritage are presented to visitors across Oregon. They also come as Tribal-owned tourism operations, such as Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort, have become significant employers and revenue sources for their communities.
Seven of Oregon's nine federally recognized Tribes signed the agreements, and Oregon's tourism industry totals $14.6 billion and supports 123,000 Oregonians. The source does not say whether the remaining two Tribes intend to join.
The players
Travel Oregon
The Oregon Tourism Commission's marketing arm, responsible for promoting the state as a travel destination.
Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort
A resort on the Warm Springs Reservation operated by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and a major local employer.
The details
The Memorandums of Understanding were developed in collaboration with the Tribal Tourism Working Group. Travel Oregon previously published the Travel Guide to Oregon Indian Country in 2023 and released an updated Experience Indigenous Oregon guide in 2026, which is free on its website and at Welcome Centers.
Timeline
2023: Travel Oregon publishes the Travel Guide to Oregon Indian Country.
2025: Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort generates more than $500,000 in revenue for the Warm Springs Tribe.
2026: Travel Oregon publishes the updated Experience Indigenous Oregon guide.
November 2, 2026: Travel Oregon signs MOUs with seven of nine Oregon Tribes.
Culture Shift
Tribal casino and resort operations employ 4,439 workers across Oregon and paid $378.9 million in wages and benefits, placing Tribal hospitality among the state's larger employers. The new agreements extend that economic footprint into the state's broader tourism promotion.
Visitors planning trips to Oregon can use the free Experience Indigenous Oregon guide to learn about each participating Tribe's heritage and tourism offerings. The guide is available on the Travel Oregon website and at Travel Oregon Welcome Centers.
The takeaway
Travelers interested in Oregon's Tribal heritage can plan visits using the free Experience Indigenous Oregon guide. Checking the guide before a trip helps identify Tribal cultural and tourism offerings across the state.
Further reading
Explore more on Native American culture and tourism across the state.
More information
Find the Experience Indigenous Oregon guide on the Travel Oregon website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Manila times.
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