EUGENE (AP) - Tourism spending in Oregon increased 7.4 percent in 2005, hitting a total of $7.4 billion, according to statistics touted by Democratic Gov. Ted Kulongoski at a tourism conference this week.

Kulongoski hailed that as the third straight year of growth since passage in 2003 of a 1 percent statewide lodging tax dedicated to promoting Oregon as a national and international destination.

But the governor also urged tourists and the businesses that cater to them to remember the Oregon Coast in their own travel plans this year, as the region faces possible closure of its salmon season because of low counts of spawning fish in the Klamath River.

“If I have any message for you today, it is one of partnership with our coastal communities in helping them through this very, very difficult time,” Kulongoski said. “Unquestionably, any reduction of the salmon season will generate a profound economic impact.

So, we have a challenge before us.”

Despite worries over the coast's summer tourist season, Kulongoski said Oregon's reputation for environmental protection is serving it well among tourists who prize the outdoors.

“Our state doesn't restrict us to bike paths that run along major highways,” he said.

The governor also credited a government-tourism industry partnership for luring to Oregon new international flights from Europe, Asia and Mexico.

The governor also praised a planned upgrade this spring of the Oregon Tourism Commission's Web site, traveloregon.com. New technology will allow visitors to design custom itineraries using a statewide database.

Oregon now ranks about 25th among the 50 states in tourism promotion, Kulongoski said - up from 49th in 2003.