Travel information takes a new turn

On Monday, May 4th, OTE and Clackamas County Tourism (CCT) and Mt. Hood Territory held a grand opening ribbon-cutting at French Prairie Rest Area. The northbound I-5 rest area is the site of a newly refurbished travel information kiosk, a pilot project between Oregon Travel Experience and CCT. Although the morning temperature under the trees was a bit chilly, local government representatives, destination marketing organizations, and project participants gathered together to celebrate the completion of the kiosk. Speakers included OTE’s Executive Director Nancy DeSouza, Oregon Travel Information Council member Charlotte Lehan, and CCTA Executive Director Danielle Cowan.

Take a look at the image gallery (below) to find out more about the event.

The kiosk refurbishment project marks a new era in on-the-go travel information. As generations of travelers travel our highways, how they gather details about where to find a good hotel or restaurant shifts and changes according to the digital landscape. OTE and Clackamas County Tourism recognize that motorists appreciate both digital technology and print travel publications and incorporated those options inside the refurbished kiosk. The finished product? An outstanding opportunity for all ages of travelers as well as local businesses.

New displays for local businesses

As part of OTE’s mission to provide connections from travelers to local businesses, the expanded display and publication program within the newly refurbished kiosk should prove highly successful. OTE designed new business display panels from an aluminum-poly material. The display panel spaces are available for businesses of any size, within the following categories: gas, food, lodging, tourism attractions, historic sites and museums. Some panel displays may also be reserved for public service announcements or educational purposes by other government agencies or coalitions.

The improved panel material lasts seven years without fading, buckling or peeling and does not require a protective covering. The panels are installed by OTE staff into attractive fir and black edged steel frames. The kiosk’s 12 panels are suspended on the exterior edge of the structure and are highly visible to rest area motorists without using expensive backlit lighting. They are also easy to clean and maintain, a benefit provided by OTE staff once your panel is installed.

Prices for display panels vary. If you are interested in applying for a panel permit at this location, telephone us for updated pricing: 503-373-0086. If you would like information on panel production specifications and the materials used, please contact Maddie MacGregor.

Space for brochures, rack cards and travel and tourism magazines

Publication permits are available for all businesses who fit into the same categories as panel customers. Pricing for brochures, rack cards and magazines are extremely affordable, starting between $10 and $20 per month. The attractive center console holds your publication securely and protects it from Pacific Northwest weather. Oregon Travel Experience handles all aspects of your publication, from ensuring it is stocked daily to notifying you when you need to reprint.

French Prairie Rest Area is a prime stopping point for Oregon tour bus companies or motorists traveling Oregon searching for skiing, wine, hiking and heritage activities. Over 2 million travelers frequent the northbound French Prairie site per year and CCT’s latest ROI data shows 2,000 customers have used their digital travel information screen over the last month. OTE staff note that stocking publications is a daily affair, since they are highly visible and popular with travelers.

The airy open structure and its colorful screen displaying videos from around the region beckons motorists and encourages them to discover new points of interest or accommodations they may have missed in pre-trip planning. Routine commuters who ignored the formerly outdated structure are now using the kiosk to find information that can be used for day or weekend trips with the family.

If you are interested in applying for a print permit, email Sue Van Handel or telephone her at 503-373-0086 or toll free at 1-800-574-9397.

Image gallery

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