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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Arthur I. Cyr: Camp David summit will not help Mideast stability 10 things to know for Thursday (No heading) Jackson County declares drought disaster 10 things to know for Wednesday Crime, Courts and Emergency Services (No heading) Drunk driver gets 13 months for hitting pedestrian Jackson County honors fallen police Feds allege Georgia, Maryland residents defrauded Oregon taxpayers of more than $2 million Three men charged in Prospect area burglaries Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: Camp David summit will not help Mideast stability Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline opponents rally in Medford BREAKING: Baltimore prosecutor charges officers in Freddie Gray's death Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) Education South Medford, Ashland high schools earn national honors Medford garage sale will put books in African kids' hands Medford schools restore parent-teacher conferences Latino parents: More bilingual staff needed in Medford schools Medford schools still filling admin roles Environment Jackson County declares drought disaster Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Crater Lake may soon have China connection State waives college placement tests for students who hit high marks Stopping fire in its tracks State News Oregon House: Bikers who can't get a green light may turn on red Incoming president tours University of Oregon campus West Linn police officer leads state in DUII arrests Oil industry challenges rules meant to stop train explosions Crooked River Ranch residents stumped by bare shoe tree Nation - World There's a $10 million precious stone hidden in plain sight at Grand Central Obituaries Keith D. Randahl Verla Jean Rametes Death Notices Doris Oka Chang Patrick Joseph Mulcahy Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Check out top import and export for every U.S. state Patriots fan sets up GoFundMe page to help pay for team's Deflategate fine Sports Latest Stories Tornado trips up Thurston in SWC tilt Warriors rise Beavers tie school home run record in rout Horford's late follow gives Hawks win Kluber strikes out 18, Indians top Cardinals Varsity 541 College Sports Beavers tie school home run record in rout A Wise freshman leads the Ducks Baldovino, Concordia upset No. 1 Oklahoma City Northwestern’s Wu chosen for NCAA field Oregon State AD De Carolis to step down Pro Sports Warriors rise Horford's late follow gives Hawks win Kluber strikes out 18, Indians top Cardinals Rogues to host summer baseball camps MLB pumps up ball security after Brady flap Community Sports Bailey picks up modified win Business Latest Stories Blog: Cash deals for homes inches toward normal levels Tourism stronger than ever in Southern Oregon Medford airport still flying high with record passenger counts Erickson reports $75 million loss in 1st quarter Cars We Remember: Noted musician unravels 55-year Nash Rambler mystery Real Estate News Single-family home sales take off Never enough: New Starbucks proposed on Barnett Road in Medford Jackson County debt-ridden homeowners have an option New home in an old house Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house People In Business People in Business Transportation Tourism stronger than ever in Southern Oregon Medford airport still flying high with record passenger counts Erickson finds room to work at Medford airport Lithia Motors nets $40.7 million in first quarter Lithia Motors reports second-best quarter ever Agriculture 1-800Flowers.com reports $10.5 million loss in third quarter Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house Opinion Latest Arthur I. Cyr: Camp David summit will not help Mideast stability Our View: City should let SkyPark project move ahead George Will: In childhood, risk is inherent Letters to the Editor, May 14 Dana Milbank: Power to the populists Editorials Our View: City should let SkyPark project move ahead Our View: E-cigarette bill is half right, half wrong Our View: Abundant water no excuse for waste Our View: Mental health funding should be a priority Other Views: Court ruling means PERS reform is dead Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, May 14 Letters to the Editor, May 13 Letters to the Editor, May 12 Letters to the Editor, May 11 Letters to the Editor, May 10 Columns Arthur I. Cyr: Camp David summit will not help Mideast stability George Will: In childhood, risk is inherent Dana Milbank: Power to the populists Kathleen Parker: Defining deity down: Changing others' religion Guest Opinion: Ample water? Think again Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Ample water? Think again Guest Opinion: Oregon mothers need much more than flowers Guest Opinion: Child poverty and the Schneider Children’s Center Guest Opinion: Animal-killing program pulls wool over taxpayers' eyes Guest Opinion: Uniting to restore our sovereignty to we, the people Lifestyle Latest stories Pergola, arbor, gazebo: Learn the differences Marketta Gregory: God doesn’t need our polished marketing Expo derby planned to raise money for disabilities projects Trout gillnetting to help Diamond Lake stocking plans Quick, easy, versatile Food Quick, easy, versatile Page H. Onorato: Cookbook offers old friend in the kitchen today A classic dish: Celery Victor Tammy Kelly: Add springtime crunch with cucumbers Prudence Hilburn: Mexican-inspired dishes easy to make, delicious to enjoy Home and Garden Pergola, arbor, gazebo: Learn the differences Dear Monty: Five tips for companies to reduce relocation costs Options abound for gardens in shady spots Tricks and tips to enlarge your small bath Green roof gardens have several benefits Health Brent St. Germain: Weight loss goes to the dogs Community blog: Don't Fall for This Part 2 Health Watch: Easy tips to drink more water throughout the day New cardiac rehab center opens at Asante RRMC Community blog: You and Me at 83... Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, May 8 Religion Briefs: Friday, May 1 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 24 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 17 Milestones and Achievements Bukair-Hinkle Wedding: Stephanie Anne Obad and Mark Douglass Schmor Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Drones helping create unique wedding photos Pick your favorite wedding flowers Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Flowers, art and music highlight Art in Bloom 5 picks for live entertainment Live Music in Local Clubs Peter Rowan, Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys at Rootsfest Dancing People Company presents 'Salon Series' Theater REVIEW: Randall Theatre's 'Little Shop of Horrors' a rollicking good time REVIEW: Carson, Patton shine in 'Arsenic and Old Lace' Some Oregon Shakespeare Festival crew members seek to unionize Randall Theatre stages 'Little Shop of Horrors' 'Much Ado' at SOU Music Victor D. Infante: If loving bad pop songs is wrong ... The Farr Side: Contest open for singer-songwriters Live Music in Local Clubs Peter Rowan, Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys at Rootsfest The Farr Side: Mumford & Sons’ latest is full-on rock Community Events 5 things to see at Art in Bloom Flowers, art and music highlight Art in Bloom Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic at OSF's Black Swan in Ashland Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Master Gardener Spring Fair at The Expo Movies Your A-to-Z guide to the ‘Mad Max’ franchise Movie review: ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ will leave your inner 12-year-old giggling with glee Movie review: ‘Hot Pursuit’ is a hot mess George Miller returns to his ‘Mad Max’ roots Tom Hardy adapts to life as Mad Max Dining Quick, easy, versatile Restaurant Inspections: April 2015 Restaurant inspections: May 10, 2015 Wood-fired pies at Peace of Pizza Trium is a classic example of a boutique winery Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Our View: City should let SkyPark project move ahead ... Jackson County declares drought disaster ... Jason Atkinson in line for Fish and Wildlife Commission post ... Our View: City should let SkyPark project move ahead ... Jackson County declares drought disaster ... Jason Atkinson in line for Fish and Wildlife Commission post ... TOURISM Tourism stronger than ever in Southern Oregon By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted May. 12, 2015 @ 2:00 am Updated May 13, 2015 at 7:33 AM By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted May. 12, 2015 @ 2:00 am Updated May 13, 2015 at 7:33 AM » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Brad Niva thought buying a raft company in Southern Oregon would give him a chance to float the Rogue whenever he felt like it. It hasn't quite turned out that way. Instead he's kept pretty busy, building three companies all based on tourism. Niva was among the speakers touting tourism during a Chamber of Medford/Jackson County forum Monday at the Rogue Valley Country Club. "Think about everything we have to offer a tourist," Niva said. "Say your in-laws are coming for four days, and you're thinking, 'What are we going to do?' Shakespeare, Harry & David Country Store, Crater Lake National Park, the Redwoods, Oregon Caves National Monument, Rogue River, wine, food, you just start rattling down the list. ... We're so lucky with the diversity of products we have here." Niva said Oregon's growing popularity has meant travelers who once flew into Seattle and out of San Francisco — passing quickly through our region — now spend a week in Southern Oregon. "One of the tours we've just started is called 'Around the Rogue in Eight Days,' " Niva said. "It features flying into Medford, doing Crater Lake, coming to the Rogue River, up the coast, up Highway 199, into the wine industry, into Jacksonville, and that's an eight-day tour. We just pitched that to an international tour company last Friday and they said, 'That's exactly what we're looking for.' " Leaving behind a ritzy Orange County hospitality career got a lot easier for Liz Wan, now the assistant winemaker at Serra Vineyards, after she took the backroads home from work in Medford to Grants Pass shortly after moving here. "Lo and behold, there were hundreds of acres of amazing vines, and these little tasting rooms that were rustic and shabby chic, just all about hospitality and amazing wines and none of the bells and whistles and fancy stuff," she said. "And I fell in love." Jez Kline, Travel Medford's branding and marketing director, said the average number of overnight stays in Southern Oregon has grown 3.3 percent per year since 2010, 3.4 percent in Jackson County and 5.6 percent in Medford. Since March 2012, Medford's growth has been more than 12.5 percent. "These past three years since the rebrand have the been the most prosperous as far as tourism growth in the history of Medford," Kline said. Web traffic on the agency's website has more than doubled in the past three years as well, propelled in part by a three-times-a-month "Uniquely Rogue" series. Transient lodging taxes grew from $2.4 million in fiscal 2011-12 to $2.9 million in 2013-14, with the receipts on pace for $3.4 million by June 30 when fiscal year 2014-15 ends. Kline said the average room rates in Medford have climbed from $71.36 in 2011-12 to $77.32 last year. Occupancy growth has paralleled the other trends, going from 55 percent in 2011-12 to nearly 61 percent in 2013-14. "What Medford and the Rogue Valley have to offer are our wines, arts and culture, our artisan foods and outdoor recreation," said Annie Jenkins, Travel Medford's executive director. "It is more than things you can do just on vacation. Tourism is more than heads in beds and economic impact, it is the power to transform communities." In other chamber business, the annual Mayor's Award was presented Monday to the Singler Open, founded by basketball player Kyle Singler nine years ago as a senior project at South Medford High School before he moved on to Duke University, where he was a member of an NCAA championship team, and now the NBA. The first tournament drew 19 teams. Now more than 180 teams come from California, Oregon and Washington, producing an economic impact of nearly $600,000 in the Medford area, with more than $80,000 being raised for Kids Unlimited. Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GregMTBusiness , on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/greg.stiles.31 , and read his blog at www.mailtribune.com/EconomicEdge By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted May. 12, 2015 @ 2:00 am Updated May 13, 2015 at 7:33 AM » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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