What is a Tourism Promotion Area (TPA)?
A Tourism Promotion Area (TPA), also known as a Tourism Improvement District (TID), provides a stable source of funding to a DMMO for marketing and promotion efforts, with the ultimate goals of increasing occupancy and room rates for lodging businesses and increasing Transient Occupancy Tax collections. STPA is a city-approved and hotelier-proposed 2% fee assessed on guest room nights at lodging facilities within Salem city limits
Unlike the transient occupancy tax (TOT), the funds gathered through the STPA are managed by a dedicated group of hoteliers.
![](https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/HooplaSlamDunkContest2_CraigFischer-large-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=6e8c35a39dfa190f2911bcb5db4663fc 320w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/HooplaSlamDunkContest2_CraigFischer-large-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=f168e781666b586089094cd671b0b3ac 540w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/HooplaSlamDunkContest2_CraigFischer-large-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=63c683d9356c2543e8cd551861b5c081 768w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/HooplaSlamDunkContest2_CraigFischer-large-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=4b508e5bd40774375e2658be41d572b2 1024w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/HooplaSlamDunkContest2_CraigFischer-large-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=65c90ef6bb1daa16a872b0eda1ea6744 1200w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/HooplaSlamDunkContest2_CraigFischer-large-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=4ecab6987a5022628f748948059b1f6a 1440w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/HooplaSlamDunkContest2_CraigFischer-large-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=2c082a0a051100285d1d504f6b134d87 1920w)
Salem Tourism Promotion Area (STPA)
The travel industry is an essential economic driver nationally and regionally for the Salem area. In 2022, visitor spend accounted for $782 million directly into the region, which generated 7,850 jobs and $31.2 million in state and local tax revenue.
On November 25, 2019, Salem City Council approved Oregon’s second Tourism Promotion Area (TPA)— a bold and visionary concept by Salem Area Lodging Association (SALA) and Travel Salem to remain competitive and not lose market share when promoting the region as a premier travel destination. The funds generated by the STPA are used to:
- Support tourism marketing and sales efforts that enhance the region’s competitive position as a top visitor destination
- Increase occupancy and average daily rates (ADR) for Salem lodging proprietors
Collections for STPA funds began in January 2020 and are directed to Travel Salem, the region’s official destination marketing and management organization (DMMO). A nine-member advisory committee, made up of Salem hoteliers, works closely with Travel Salem to develop strategies to drive overnight visitation to Salem – particularly during the off-peak season (October - March) when hotel occupancy is softer than in the spring and summer months.
Salem is the second city in Oregon to establish a Tourism Promotion Area, after Portland became the state’s first city to launch a similar program. The Portland initiative has been highly successful, with off-peak season hotel occupancy and average daily rates having grown significantly since the program’s inception.
What does the Tourism Promotion Area do?
The STPA funds allow Travel Salem to strategically market the region through a variety of channels. Currently, STPA funds make up roughly 37% of Travel Salem's budget and are designated for advertising campaigns, content creation and destination development that drive overnight visitation. In 21-22, the STPA generated an unprecedented $1 million that was used for a Seattle outdoor campaign, booking campaigns on Expedia & Sojern, multiple social media campaigns and so much more!
![](https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Santa-Crawl-2022-Group-Photo-at-Grand-Hotel-large.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=37934db21e7460d0b07f5ee83b736acf 320w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Santa-Crawl-2022-Group-Photo-at-Grand-Hotel-large.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=c876b4f945514dbd8972d22d17b727f5 540w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Santa-Crawl-2022-Group-Photo-at-Grand-Hotel-large.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=47272e44c670f3a974dc743fe72c37e2 768w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Santa-Crawl-2022-Group-Photo-at-Grand-Hotel-large.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=51edcae83ec19e1171a1b4504351ab67 1024w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Santa-Crawl-2022-Group-Photo-at-Grand-Hotel-large.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=82cd711ccf0e1a64861627819bf56a4a 1200w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Santa-Crawl-2022-Group-Photo-at-Grand-Hotel-large.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=60efd31a5c8eacc75eaa8c3013912f82 1440w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Santa-Crawl-2022-Group-Photo-at-Grand-Hotel-large.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=f6c3cb6f0bb4cf225d7f439366c65099 1920w)
2022-2023 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
During the last year, the STPA generated roughly $1 million for advertising and public relations campaigns.
![](https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/STPA-Ad-examples.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=79fba2ed7ea180909e0cacfa2bd225b5 320w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/STPA-Ad-examples.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=f2e6847d11f985be9b2d67b632826b7e 540w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/STPA-Ad-examples.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=bca01f52746663b89b73d2179167a449 768w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/STPA-Ad-examples.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=a76caa0212d678b1d337c135a3e25d3d 1024w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/STPA-Ad-examples.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=b5c16b4dbc151ebc1162ce3af7c94764 1200w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/STPA-Ad-examples.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=be28678b9898f859a778447a37557c97 1440w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/STPA-Ad-examples.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=523cdcc106d468e8f2f1107119a92c39 1500w)
Thanks to the STPA funds, media impressions have grown as more campaigns and initiatives showcase the Salem region as a unique tourist destination.
![](https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/STPA-Impacts-Total-Media-Impressions.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=baf0e9bd6257066b279380218cae5cd4 320w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/STPA-Impacts-Total-Media-Impressions.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=dfc412d2cf88256e3859efc9a2896642 540w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/STPA-Impacts-Total-Media-Impressions.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=bee4dbd6d5497d096d740240d810e886 768w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/STPA-Impacts-Total-Media-Impressions.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=2e92ca597f60a4126dddf309c75b4aa3 1024w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/STPA-Impacts-Total-Media-Impressions.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=d0ba65e047831888f1cae8db27655222 1200w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/STPA-Impacts-Total-Media-Impressions.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=91b76ed9c2887a22d4be7930698f73f1 1440w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/STPA-Impacts-Total-Media-Impressions.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=bc7e365ffe547d40baba103eb920ff17 1920w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/STPA-Impacts-Total-Media-Impressions.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=59eed843b6f7d690e701422666bff092 2174w)
![](https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/STPA-Impacts-ADR-Rooms-Sold-1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=465e22cb5f59f2cf432b1a837e8fd637 320w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/STPA-Impacts-ADR-Rooms-Sold-1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=44ec8522eeb773519fafad8b7170d217 540w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/STPA-Impacts-ADR-Rooms-Sold-1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=ea3b461d8400aa49b24a8589043aab6d 768w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/STPA-Impacts-ADR-Rooms-Sold-1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=a32dff6a0539734d8a5427783147ec61 974w)
STPA funds also were important in supporting our convention and sports marketing efforts, including a variety of tradeshows and conferences, as well as direct marketing campaigns.
![](https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/famtourphoto-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=594ab33ba3582621eaca51e4bb31dd6e 320w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/famtourphoto-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=257e9a0b8384ab398ac7240efa81c4e4 540w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/famtourphoto-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=a515688f1503a7112360a4a365af2ead 761w)
![](https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/STPA-Funded-Sales-Efforts-2.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=c5e123f7685202b3b948cca94a210261 320w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/STPA-Funded-Sales-Efforts-2.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=f0cac98458d5216f5437a8fdd2e54ab1 540w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/STPA-Funded-Sales-Efforts-2.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=d8e9986d55cf0e5ec82e7426f8411fce 650w)
Apply for an STPA Grant
STPA Committee Members
Matt Smith, Chair
Holman Hotel
Arun Butta
Howard Johnson
Soraida Cross
The Hotel Salem
Navi Kaur
La Quinta
Toby Olsen
Home2 Suites
Dave Pappas
Hampton Inn & Suites
Manu Patel
Days Inn Black Bear
Ronak Patel
Motel 6 (on Hawthorne)
Jeneice Riggins
Best Western Plus Mill Creek Inn
Scott Snyder
The Grand Hotel
Dawn Vinogradoff
Shilo Inn