Get free assistance to help your tourism business (such as a resort, hotel, restaurant, tour company) reduce waste, in particular, the use of single use plastics, and in general be more efficient and profitable.

Host business applications will be due February 17, 2024

Oregon Sea Grant provides this assistance through funding obtained by an EPA Pollution Prevention grant. Third- and fourth-year college students and graduate students are recruited to conduct projects that help Oregon businesses reach their waste prevention and sustainability goals. 

During this 10-week internship, college students are matched with an Oregon business to create sustainability solutions for industry practices. Interns help businesses improve efficiency, save money and reduce waste through projects based on preventing pollution.

The interns are PAID, and the program is FREE for first-time businesses.

This is a win-win program that supports environmental workforce development, waste reduction, environmental protection and economic savings.

By the end of the internship, each intern will provide the business and project team the following:

  • a final detailed project report, following OASE’s outline
  • a case study summarizing the project for an external audience
  • a presentation of project results to be delivered to the project team, business management, and external partners

Host business applications will be due February 17, 2024. Before submitting an application, please review the OASE Program Information section below and contact us to discuss your project idea.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please review the Host Business Responsibilities, and then click here to apply.  If you need the application in a different format, please let us know. We would be happy to assist you. 

A new report has been published on the economic importance of the Ocean and coastal natural features along the Oregon coast. (Fall 2023) You can access the report via the link below.

An excerpt from the ERG website presented below provides a partial description of the report.

“In 2022, the Oregon Legislature directed the Oregon Business Development Department (Business Oregon) to conduct several comprehensive market analyses of emerging industry sectors within the state. In support of this effort, ERG conducted market analyses of the Ocean Resources and Blue Economy sector, which includes economic activities that depend on the ocean, shoreline, and estuaries along Oregon’s coast.” https://www.erg.com/news/erg-supports-market-analyses-oregons-ocean-resources-and-blue-economy-sector

The Full Report as presented on line by Business Oregon can be found via the following links.

Ocean Resources & the Blue Economy

Two-Page Summary

Full Report

Appendix E: Opportunities Assessment

Appendix F: Funding Database

Coastal tourism professionals gathered in Astoria this week Oct 16-18, 2023 for the Oregon Coast Visitors Association Annual Summit. Many great speakers and lots of networking! Hosted at the spectacular Astoria Elk’s Lodge and nearby facilities, participants were able to experience Astoria while enhancing their professional knowledge and inspiring new collaborations. If you missed the event you can still visit the OCVA web site and staff for other helpful information. https://visittheoregoncoast.com/

Here is a sample of what was presented.

  • Destination Commute: Revolutionizing Tourism Travel
  • Inclusive Destinations: Embracing Accessible Travel
  • InstaTourism: Boosting Your Brand Through Social Media
  • Otterly Impactful: The Economic Return of Sea Otters to Oregon Coast
  • Discovering Sustainable Programs for Coastal Businesses
  • Coastal Horizons: Building a Strong Workforce
  • Influencer Journeys: Transforming Destination Stories
  • Destination Power-Up: Empowering Tourism DMOs with Tools
  • Hops for a Greener Tomorrow: Sustainable Brewery Initiatives
  • Unlocking the World: The Wheel the World Experience
  • SetJetters: Lights, Camera, Wander! Exploring Film Tourism
  • Case Studies of Regenerative Tourism
  • Advocacy Catalyst: Igniting Action in Tourism Excellence
  • Sustainability Redefined: The 4VI Approach to Destination Excellence

You may contact Oregon Sea Grant Extension Miles Phillips for assistance with sustainable tourism management. http://seagrant.oregonstate.edu/tourism