Supporters Of Increasing Tourism Tax Inaccurately Claim Healthy Tourism Industry (Photo)
- 02/24/26
For Immediate Release
February 24, 2026
Supporters of Increasing Tourism Tax Inaccurately Claim Healthy Tourism Industry
Message from Jon Isaacs, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs, Portland Metro Chamber:
Over the past three weeks a memo was circulated from the Oregon Conservation Network entitled “1.25% for Wildlife: Common Misconception.” This memo, designed to appear as a well-researched and cited document, was circulated by supporters of HB 4134, which will increase the Oregon transient lodging tax (TLT) by 1.25% to fund the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. This memo contains falsehoods, invented charts, and links to stories that do not report what the links claim. The memo even links to an AI-generated ‘new media’ story to support a claim. Many local news outlets either reported on some of the claims made in this memo or provided a platform for these claims to be made.
With HB 4134 scheduled to be on the house floor today and the vote outcome uncertain, the Portland Metro Chamber is taking the ultra-rare step of distributing a full rebuke of this memo to the media. In the Chamber’s view, the “misconceptions” memo is misleading in certain places that fall outside the bounds of accurate and responsible advocacy. We strongly encourage you to review the entire attached analysis and ask hard questions of its authors and supporters.
The Portland tourism industry is not thriving. Full stop. Portland’s tourism industry is last in the nation among our peers in post-pandemic recovery:
- Tourism spending is still down over $100M annually from 2019
- Inflation adjusted direct travel spending in 2024 remained 15% below 2019 levels
- City Center hotels sold 400,000 fewer rooms in 2024 than in 2019
- Average monthly room night occupancy is still 14 points below 2019 levels.
Thank you for reviewing this information and for your thorough coverage of the 2026 State of the Regional Economy report release. If you would like to discuss this with EVP Isaacs, please contact @Monice Wong to schedule an interview.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best regards,
Jon Isaacs
Executive Vice President of Public Affairs
Portland Metro Chamber
Supporters Of Increasing Tourism Tax Inaccurately Claim Healthy Tourism Industry (Photo)
- 02/24/26
For Immediate Release
February 24, 2026
Supporters of Increasing Tourism Tax Inaccurately Claim Healthy Tourism Industry
Message from Jon Isaacs, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs, Portland Metro Chamber:
Over the past three weeks a memo was circulated from the Oregon Conservation Network entitled “1.25% for Wildlife: Common Misconception.” This memo, designed to appear as a well-researched and cited document, was circulated by supporters of HB 4134, which will increase the Oregon transient lodging tax (TLT) by 1.25% to fund the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. This memo contains falsehoods, invented charts, and links to stories that do not report what the links claim. The memo even links to an AI-generated ‘new media’ story to support a claim. Many local news outlets either reported on some of the claims made in this memo or provided a platform for these claims to be made.
With HB 4134 scheduled to be on the house floor today and the vote outcome uncertain, the Portland Metro Chamber is taking the ultra-rare step of distributing a full rebuke of this memo to the media. In the Chamber’s view, the “misconceptions” memo is misleading in certain places that fall outside the bounds of accurate and responsible advocacy. We strongly encourage you to review the entire attached analysis and ask hard questions of its authors and supporters.
The Portland tourism industry is not thriving. Full stop. Portland’s tourism industry is last in the nation among our peers in post-pandemic recovery:
- Tourism spending is still down over $100M annually from 2019
- Inflation adjusted direct travel spending in 2024 remained 15% below 2019 levels
- City Center hotels sold 400,000 fewer rooms in 2024 than in 2019
- Average monthly room night occupancy is still 14 points below 2019 levels.
Thank you for reviewing this information and for your thorough coverage of the 2026 State of the Regional Economy report release. If you would like to discuss this with EVP Isaacs, please contact @Monice Wong to schedule an interview.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best regards,
Jon Isaacs
Executive Vice President of Public Affairs
Portland Metro Chamber
