Beard on rebuilding tourism post-pandemic
By Terry Murry on Thursday, March 25th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – Pendleton Convention Center Manager Pat Beard says the Round-Up City will have to rebuild its reputation as a tourism destination after the pandemic. The city already attracts tourists due to its Western culture and the Pendleton Round-Up. Beard says there are also some new things the city will try.
“There are about 6 million people a year traveling past Pendleton on I-84,” he said. “We have to get better at farming them and pulling them in.”
In addition to giving people a reason to exit, Beard says it’s time the city stepped up its ties to the Oregon Trail.
“It’s embarrassing to me that we live on one of the crucial stops on the Oregon Trail and I’ve only found one small sign denoting it,” he said. “Look for things in the next year that will let people know we are an important stop on the Oregon Trail.”
