Spring Break at the Oregon Dunes
Source: http://www.theworldlink.com/articles/2010/03/26/news/doc4bace9c82006c799842057.txt
Golden weekend
By Jessica Musicar
Spring break is good news for local hoteliers, campsite operators and ATV rental companies, who expect a rush of tourists on Oregon’s “Adventure Coast” this weekend.
Sunny forecasts also help, said Curtis Wayne Kruse, co-owner of Doon Bugs ATV Rentals in Hauser.
“When the sun comes out this place is a madhouse of ATVers,” Kruse said. “We are pretty much totally reserved out for the weekend.”
He said 3,000 to 4,000 people will probably ride the dunes on Saturday and Sunday.
Katherine Hoppe, director of promotions and conventions for the Coos Bay-North Bend Visitor & Convention Bureau, said this weekend has a lot going for it, including good weather on Saturday, the end of Whale Watching Week, and intersecting spring breaks. As Southern Oregonians complete their vacations, students from other states, including California, are just starting theirs, she explained.
“Spring break is always a good week, especially when it coincides with Whale Watching Week,” Hoppe said. “We had a lot of whale sitings in our area as well, so I think that’s going to help.”
Although she wasn’t sure how many people to expect in coming days, she said last weekend was busy for the area.
“On Saturday, I was out crabbing at the docks and I could barely find a spot to throw my crab ring in,” she said.
According to information Hoppe gathered from local hoteliers on Thursday, The Comfort Inn still had some rooms available but had made lots of reservations. The Edgewater Inn reported a high reservation count for this weekend. Though the Charleston RV Park had plenty of availability, its bookings were up 6 percent from last year’s spring break.
“We are, for all intents and purposes, sold out for the weekend,” said Ray Doering, spokesman for The Mill Casino-Hotel.
“This is pretty typical of most weekends in March for us,” Doering said. “The weather starts getting a little better and people need to get away.”
The Mill also is hosting a Lions Club convention this weekend.
A front desk clerk at Super 8 in Coos Bay said the motel was half-full for the weekend and she expected more walk-ins.
“From what we’ve been doing the last three or four days, we get more walk-ins than reservations,” said clerk Taunie Broussard.
Lots of tourists don’t necessarily mean Coos County lodgings will all illuminate their “No Vacancy” signs.
The Red Lion Hotel in Coos Bay is expecting about half capacity, said General Manager Joe Monahan. He attributed that to ATVers wanting to camp and other tourists opting for lower-priced rooms.
The numbers are a little bit better than last year, but they aren’t “something to jump up and down about,” he said.
Campground owners also forecast a hopping weekend. Kathy Gross, owner of the Oregon Dunes KOA Campground, said all but one of the campground’s 60 RV spots were booked by Thursday.
“It’s basically related to spring break school season,” she said. “We’re praying for good weather.”
More information about the Oregon Dunes can be found at:
Golden weekend
By Jessica Musicar
Spring break is good news for local hoteliers, campsite operators and ATV rental companies, who expect a rush of tourists on Oregon’s “Adventure Coast” this weekend.
Sunny forecasts also help, said Curtis Wayne Kruse, co-owner of Doon Bugs ATV Rentals in Hauser.
“When the sun comes out this place is a madhouse of ATVers,” Kruse said. “We are pretty much totally reserved out for the weekend.”
He said 3,000 to 4,000 people will probably ride the dunes on Saturday and Sunday.
Katherine Hoppe, director of promotions and conventions for the Coos Bay-North Bend Visitor & Convention Bureau, said this weekend has a lot going for it, including good weather on Saturday, the end of Whale Watching Week, and intersecting spring breaks. As Southern Oregonians complete their vacations, students from other states, including California, are just starting theirs, she explained.
“Spring break is always a good week, especially when it coincides with Whale Watching Week,” Hoppe said. “We had a lot of whale sitings in our area as well, so I think that’s going to help.”
Although she wasn’t sure how many people to expect in coming days, she said last weekend was busy for the area.
“On Saturday, I was out crabbing at the docks and I could barely find a spot to throw my crab ring in,” she said.
According to information Hoppe gathered from local hoteliers on Thursday, The Comfort Inn still had some rooms available but had made lots of reservations. The Edgewater Inn reported a high reservation count for this weekend. Though the Charleston RV Park had plenty of availability, its bookings were up 6 percent from last year’s spring break.
“We are, for all intents and purposes, sold out for the weekend,” said Ray Doering, spokesman for The Mill Casino-Hotel.
“This is pretty typical of most weekends in March for us,” Doering said. “The weather starts getting a little better and people need to get away.”
The Mill also is hosting a Lions Club convention this weekend.
A front desk clerk at Super 8 in Coos Bay said the motel was half-full for the weekend and she expected more walk-ins.
“From what we’ve been doing the last three or four days, we get more walk-ins than reservations,” said clerk Taunie Broussard.
Lots of tourists don’t necessarily mean Coos County lodgings will all illuminate their “No Vacancy” signs.
The Red Lion Hotel in Coos Bay is expecting about half capacity, said General Manager Joe Monahan. He attributed that to ATVers wanting to camp and other tourists opting for lower-priced rooms.
The numbers are a little bit better than last year, but they aren’t “something to jump up and down about,” he said.
Campground owners also forecast a hopping weekend. Kathy Gross, owner of the Oregon Dunes KOA Campground, said all but one of the campground’s 60 RV spots were booked by Thursday.
“It’s basically related to spring break school season,” she said. “We’re praying for good weather.”
More information about the Oregon Dunes can be found at:
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