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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 Ashland: Budget increase, swimming pool funding discussion on council agenda The new normal under climate change? Public Meetings: March 2-6 Mail Tribune 100: March 1, 1915 Since You Asked: Who cleans up around the Medford library? Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services, March 1 Two injured in White City house fire Family, friends of Central Point fire victim try to cover costs Feds charge California couple with medical device fraud Emergency services, Feb. 28 Politics and Elections Ashland: Budget increase, swimming pool funding discussion on council agenda Judge upholds Phoenix's moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries Ballots on Jackson County marijuana tax go out Friday Brown's inauguration brings hope to local lawmakers Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor Education MSD considers adding a health center at one of the city's high schools Absenteeism in Oregon schools prompts bill that would tie funding to attendance, not enrollment Territorial Seed contribution a boost for SOU food program 200-plus Jackson County students miss vaccination deadline Medford, Ashland districts fall short of anti-bullying standards Environment The new normal under climate change? Lost Creek Lake algae bloom subsides Lost Creek Lake logjam could become hazard for boaters Made in the Shade Controlled burn planned for Ashland watershed on Friday State News Oregon considers banning non-medical vaccine exemptions Bill to dissolve Cover Oregon heads to Governor Brown Oregon official says he was questioned by FBI, IRS Hayes wants her private emails protected Oregon Senate votes unanimously to outlaw 'revenge porn' Nation - World Obituaries Clara "Jackie" Bean Mae Kathleen Quaccia Joseph (Joe) Torres Margaret M. Moffitt Ruby Beck Perkins Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Bank of America is predicting a massive Tesla collapse Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society This $1 million Mercedes is like an armored private jet for the road Sports Latest Stories Crusaders headed to tourney with victory McCoy revels in state title State Wrestling Results Twice as nice Rousey makes quick work of Cat Varsity 541 College Sports No. 7 Arizona overtakes No. 13 Utah Raiders upset Knights, in title contest Raiders top William Jessup, salvage split Beavers claim first Pac-12 title with win OIT stuns Raiders Pro Sports Rousey makes quick work of Cat Depleted Hawks beat Heat Cowboys plan to 'franchise' Bryant Federer defends Dubai title against Djokovic Rain-pummeled Honda Classic to finish Monday Community Sports Business Latest Stories Business Briefs: Feb. 28 People in Business: Feb. 28 Medford Fabrication isn't afraid to go big Ride & Drive: 2015 Audi R8 Blog: Friends Forever Real Estate News Housing prices climb 9 percent in Jackson County Big plans on the Butte Homes for the long haul People In Business People in Business: Feb. 28 People in Business People in Business Transportation Lodging gains bode well for travel industries Medford airport flies past January record Agriculture Warm winter has fruit growers poised for action Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 1-800-Flowers dumps Harry & David execs Opinion Latest Letters to the Editor, March 1 Our View: Drawing back the curtain on government Dana Milbank: Jeb Bush, CPAC pinata Charles Krauthammer: The fatal flaw in the Iran deal GUEST OPINION: Police, community should work to prevent profiling Editorials Our View: Drawing back the curtain on government Other Views: Brown's list of challenges is lengthy Our View: School attendance bill could backfire Our View: Higher education still getting too little Our View: Adjusting for unintended consequences Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, March 1 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 28 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 27 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 26 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 25 Columns Dana Milbank: Jeb Bush, CPAC pinata Charles Krauthammer: The fatal flaw in the Iran deal GUEST OPINION: Police, community should work to prevent profiling George Will: Two reading lessons from the Supreme Court Guest Opinion: Don't overregulate Oregon's hemp industry Guest Opinions GUEST OPINION: Police, community should work to prevent profiling Guest Opinion: Don't overregulate Oregon's hemp industry Guest Opinion: Predatory banking practices bilk citizens Guest Opinion: Is less education the answer? Guest Opinion: Bill would shore up legal aid funding Lifestyle Latest stories Community blog: How I Became Radical: The Power of Acceptance Community blog: The Guest List: Check! Review: In "Much Ado," why not let Shakespeare be Shakespeare? Adopt a Pet: Moby Wedding: Schwartz-Gibbs Food Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, March 1 Community blog: Support local CSA farms by signing up Saturday Joanna McQuillan Weeks: Cheeseburger pie is the perfect winter comfort food Page H. Onorato: Hot dogs I have known and loved Season Stepp: Tips for roasting vegetables Home and Garden Specialty painting adds wow to your walls Dear Monty: Home seller questions agent ethics Home Help: Low-maintenance landscaping ideas Garden Cameos: Winter is the time to prune How to install energy-efficient windows the right way Health Community blog: How I Became Radical: The Power of Acceptance Community blog: The Guest List: Check! Health Watch: Sticking to your health plan when your family isn’t helping Community blog: Finding Your Indomitable Spirit to Defeat Addiction Dr. Murray Feingold: ‘Beet’ high blood pressure with borscht Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs, Feb. 27 Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 20 Religion News: Pope makes surprise shantytown visit Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 13 RELIGION BRIEFS, Feb. 6 Milestones and Achievements Anniversary: Hofer New arrivals: Sunday, Feb. 8 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Live Music in Local Clubs HAPA plays the Historic Ashland Armory An all-new Rising Stars music competition kicks off this weekend Ronny Cox plays the Unitarian Fellowship SOU presents 'She Stoops to Conquer' Theater Review: In "Much Ado," why not let Shakespeare be Shakespeare? 'She Stoops' rises on SOU stage SOU presents 'She Stoops to Conquer' 'The Glass Menagerie' is polished and professional OSF kicks off its 2015 season Music Rogue Valley Symphony showcases Anton Bruckner and Richard Wagner Live Music in Local Clubs HAPA plays the Historic Ashland Armory An all-new Rising Stars music competition kicks off this weekend Ronny Cox plays the Unitarian Fellowship Community Events Third Fridays showcases local artists Southern Oregon Rod and Custom Show Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jacksonville celebrates Chinese New Year Dining Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, March 1 Great Outdoor Grill offers healthful options Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 Saigon Xich Lo Vietnamese cuisine The zwickels shall flow Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Our View: Drawing back the curtain on government ... Public Meetings: March 2-6 ... GUEST OPINION: Police, community should work to prevent profiling ... Our View: Drawing back the curtain on government ... Public Meetings: March 2-6 ... GUEST OPINION: Police, community should work to prevent profiling ... TOURISM Lodging gains bode well for travel industries By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 24, 2015 @ 5:08 pm By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 24, 2015 @ 5:08 pm » 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" --> Thanks to lower fuel prices and mild weather, the region's lodging industry saw solid gains in January — possibly foreshadowing the beginning of a profitable year for Southern Oregon tourism. While snow sport-related operations took a hit this winter, rafting companies and outfitters are reporting strong advanced bookings for 2015. "There is some pent-up demand for travel, and lower gas prices make a huge difference when people are planning those trips," said Carolyn Hill, CEO of Travel Southern Oregon. "We've had unbelievable spring-like weather and haven't had many road closures associated with winter. Combined with those gas prices, it's opened up the possibilities for people who wanted to hike." Monthly figures compiled by Smith Travel Research in Hendersonville, Tenn., show the whole state got out of the blocks fast, with every region showing gains in occupancy, rates, revenue per available room, demand and room revenue. Southern Oregon's five-county region saw a 9.9 percent jump in occupancy to 40.6 percent during January, topping the statewide 9.1 percent gain. Its 10.3 percent room demand surpassed the 10.1 percent statewide average. The revenue per available room climbed 11.9 percent to $29.67, while average room rates edged up 1.8 percent to $73.03. "Rates are finally beginning to recover back to where they were in 2008," Hill said. At the same time travelers have been hitting the road, summer vacationers have been booking river trips.   Lowell Pratt of Rogue River Raft Trips and Morrison's Lodge said the five outfitters he works with have all seen booking jumps. "My own bookings are up 210 percent from January through February," Pratt said. "We did quite poorly in bookings to December and were running behind previous years. But whatever deficit we had from June to December, it has caught up." Pratt isn't quite sure what triggered the turnaround. "People get motivated to book at different times," he said. "Usually rafting is July and August, and fishing books August to October. On Labor Days and other big times, we can get bookings two years early. I wish I had my crystal ball." Will Volpert, owner of Indigo Creek Outfitters, said day-trip booking is up slightly. However, multiday Rogue River trips are significantly up for this time of year, nearly 100 percent ahead of 2014. "Last year, March was our largest booking month, so I'll have a much clearer idea of where we are in one month," Volpert said. "This time of year, folks are mainly booking for large groups — schools and wedding parties. Small-party reservations really don't pick up until April, and the majority of our small-party reservations are made within three weeks of the trip date." The region's travel marketers say they have seen a shift in long-range planning, but demand is picking up.  "Planning cycles for conferences have gotten shorter," Hill said. "Many years ago you would see bookings two or three years out. That's changed, but meeting space is doing really well in Jackson County." Annie Jenkins, who heads up Travel Medford, said business travel has bounced back as well. "Business travel dropped off for quite a bit," Jenkins said. "But it's coming back because face-to-face meetings are very crucial." 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/Economic Edge .   By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 24, 2015 @ 5:08 pm » 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 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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