WARM SPRINGS — Without Travel Oregon’s Rural Tourism Studio program, Crook County Commissioner Seth Crawford said his county would not be spearheading its effort to boost cycling tourism.

Travel Oregon has reached about 1,000 people through its Rural Tourism and Bicycle Tourism Studios, a statewide initiative begun in 2009 to connect community leaders and develop new marketing ideas and tourism programs. And on Friday, about 70 representatives from the tourism industry came together at Kah-Nee-Ta Resort during the first statewide gathering for studio participants to discuss their successes and failures ranging from new events to the development of trail networks and agritourism.

Travel and tourism spending in the state reached a record high of $9.6 billion in 2013, which supports nearly 94,000 jobs statewide, said Todd Davidson, CEO of Travel Oregon.

But many rural communities haven’t benefited from those dollars.

Kristin Dahl of Travel Oregon said the goal of the studios is to create experiences for visitors that will also help local economies.

“It’s not only developing the infrastructure of the trails, but the businesses that can then serve the visitor: tour companies, bike shops, restaurants, (bed-and-breakfasts).”

Through the rural tourism studio held in March 2013, the communities of Madras, Prineville, Terrebonne and the Warm Springs Indian Reservation joined to brand themselves as River Canyon Country in hopes of attracting more tourists. And under that umbrella, Crawford said they have been working to promote one another, educate business owners about rural attractions and create more opportunities for cyclists.

“We have multiuse trails, road biking and then trails in the Ochocos for actual mountain biking,” he said.

Crawford said the next step is to increase the miles of trails and build kiosks with maps showing road bike routes throughout River Canyon Country.

“If you come and you’re biking in Terrebonne … you’re going to look at the kiosk and say, I had no idea there were all these routes in Prineville, Jefferson County or Maupin,” he said. “So, you’re going to end up … coming back another time to enjoy those routes.”

Jack Newkirk, director of experiences for Northview Hotel Group, which owns Brasada Ranch and Eagle Crest, said more visitors to River Canyon Country means there are more visitors to stay at Brasada. He said he’s also interested in developing cycling events at Brasada.

Aliza Rosenstein, culinary adventurer for The Well Traveled Fork, a catering and culinary tour company, said she came to the event to make partnerships.

“The Well Traveled Fork is headquartered in Bend, but really we rely on the surrounding agricultural base that’s in River Canyon Country,” she said.

“I’ve been inspired by hearing about successful partnerships. … We’re more than just an outdoor mecca, we’re also great producers of delicious food and drink.”

—Reporter: 541-617-7818,

rrees@bendbulletin.com