Today is the unofficial start of summer and tourist industry leaders here are optimistic. They think it will be a good season, with the South Coast becoming a destination for Oregonians looking for a vacation that doesn’t wallop their wallets.

There are several reasons for the optimism. Events, such as the Olympic Trials in Eugene, the removal of the New Carissa shipwreck and old standbys such as Oregon Coast Music Festival, will serve as attractions. Flights from San Francisco begin in July, around the same time one of the area’s hotels will almost double capacity. And while they may elicit complaints across the country, gas prices may actually persuade people to pass on a trip to the East Coast, and instead pay a visit to Oregon’s shoreline.

That’s not to say there won’t be some deterrents for travelers. Construction on U.S. Highway 101 in Coos Bay could make travel frustrating for motorists passing through Coos County. The downturn in the economy might make tourists less inclined to spend money if they come here. And the loss of a Chinook salmon season may frustrate some visitors.

Still, hotels, business associations and park supervisors are anticipating a season that will fill many cash registers on the South Coast.

Megan Harper, a public affairs specialist for the Bureau of Land Management, said the BLM is opening 10 campgrounds this weekend to kickoff the summer season.

The campgrounds, which offer 158 campsites, are spread out on the South Coast with several along the Smith River, four east of Coquille, one along state Highway 42 on the way to Roseburg, and two down south by Cape Blanco and the Sixes area.

The majority of the sites, excluding the popular Loon Lake Recreation Area and Campground, don’t charge visitors.

Additionally, the BLM will handle tourists hoping to see the New Carissa deconstruction project and the rediscovered George L. Olson shipwreck on the North Spit. To assist visitors, the BLM will provide maps of the area, as well as information about rules and regulations out on the spit.

“I think people like to come to the coast to get away from the hustle and bustle and hot weather,” Harper said. “I think between the Olson and the New Carissa that there will be a greater draw to this area.”

With gas prices rising, Harper has noticed a change not in the numbers, but in the types of visitors coming to BLM sites. People are planning their trips closer to home to get the most out of their money and their vacation time, she said.

“I think people may be less willing to travel far distances, which is what I think makes some of the BLM sites so attractive,” Harper said. “They are close to town, but you still get to go camping, be in the outdoors and feel like you are getting away.”

People in the lodging industry have noticed a similar change.

Nathan Mischel, manager of the Best Western Holiday Motel in Coos Bay, said it is normal to start having rooms booked up seven to 14 days in advance. This summer, he expects to have more visitors from Oregon, meaning reservations will be made closer to the trip date.

“More people are making plans at the last second,” he said. “So what happens is there is a week without many bookings, and then all of a sudden you are completely booked. Overall it evens out.”

He thinks the increasing cost of gas may lead to more visitors from the Willamette Valley who pass on the $5,000 trip to Miami and chose to spend $2,000 by going to the coast.

“We are actually becoming a destination instead of a stopover,” he said.

Despite the skyrocketing gas prices last summer, too, BLM campsites experienced a 5-percent increase in visitor numbers from 2006 to 2007, Harper said. Last year, approximately 738,000 people visited BLM lands in the area. That’s 36,000 more than 2006. This year, she believes she’ll see an additional 20,000.

“There (are) a lot more retired people — baby boomers who are leaving the workforce — who are spending time traveling and doing outdoor things.”

Oregon State Parks staff are seeing similar trends.

Preson Phillips, the park manager for Sunset Bay State Park, said campsite usage is up 4 percent from last year and yurt usage is up 20 percent. But the number of vehicles — tracked by car counters — is down 6 percent. There also has been a 45 percent drop in the number of extra vehicles. Phillips explained that people often would come in two automobiles to the campground — one group to set up and the second arriving later. Now, many are carpooling.

One positive effect of the weak U.S. dollar is that Mischel has noticed more visitors arriving from outside the country. More guests are coming from Germany, Canada and other European countries where employers provide workers long vacations.

“This is unprecedented,” he said. “But you have to take advantage of the positive side of (a weak dollar).”

Mischel does expect to lose some guests next month with the addition of some added competition in North Bend.

Ray Doering, communications coordinator for The Mill Casino-Hotel in North Bend, said Mill officials are frantically working to open the casino’s new hotel tower. It’s expected to open its doors by mid- to late June, and to begin taking reservations July 1. The tower, located on the south side of the hotel-casino, will add 92 rooms to The Mill’s existing 112, as well as conference rooms and other amenities.

Doering said the existing hotel is approaching capacity for the Fourth of July weekend (see timeline). On July 3, The Mill holds its own fireworks celebration “which is a big draw.”

“With the opening of the new hotel tower, that curiosity factor certainly will help. We’re looking for a good year,” Doering said.

To ensure future tourism, The Mill is participating in the Olympic track and field trials in Eugene in late June and early July. It is sponsoring a booth — along with the Coos Bay-North Bend Visitor & Convention Bureau and the Prefontaine committee — in a festival adjacent to the trials.  

“We’re trying to get some people interested in spending time on the coast while they’re here or to plant the seed for their next vacation,” Doering said.