Oregon Coast Travelability takes home the Governor’s Award as catalyst for a statewide initiative to promote and improve accessible tourism
This week at the Oregon Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Portland, the Oregon Coast’s collaborative accessibility initiative, Oregon Coast Travelability, was honored with the Governor’s Award from Travel Oregon—one of the highest recognitions in the state’s tourism industry.
The Governor’s Award, presented by Todd Davidson, CEO of Travel Oregon, recognizes individuals or organizations that have significantly enhanced Oregon’s visitor experience while strengthening the tourism industry as a whole. This year’s award celebrates a coastwide collaboration that has been transforming the way people experience the Oregon Coast.
A Coastwide Effort to Expand Access
Launched in 2022 by a small group of coastal tourism and accessibility advocates, Oregon Coast Travelability has grown into a powerful cross-sector coalition working to make the Oregon Coast a more accessible place to live, work, and visit for people with disabilities.
Today, the initiative brings together tourism organizations, disability advocates, local governments, nonprofit partners, and businesses across the coast to identify barriers and implement real solutions that expand access for both visitors and residents. Through this collaboration, the group has helped secure more than $1.3 million in accessibility funding through Travel Oregon grants, supporting projects that are making tangible differences in communities up and down the coast.
Projects like:
- Accessibility verifications through Wheel the World, helping travelers with disabilities make informed decisions about visiting Oregon
- Accessible tidepool touch tanks at the Oregon Coast Aquarium
- An accessible community trolley in Yachats
- An inclusive playground in Lincoln City
- A statewide Mobi-mat toolkit, highlighting the growing number of accessible pathways being installed not only on the coast, but statewide
- Expanded accessibility assessments and infrastructure improvements throughout coastal communities
Together, these projects are helping ensure that the Oregon Coast remains a welcoming destination for everyone.
A Model for the State
The work of Oregon Coast Travelability has also helped inspire a much larger milestone.
In 2025, Oregon became the first U.S. state to become Accessibility Verified through Wheel the World—a designation recognizing destinations that have made meaningful investments in accessible travel experiences.
While the statewide initiative was led by Travel Oregon, Davidson noted that the effort was fueled by the momentum created along the coast.
“The work of Oregon Coast Travelability was the catalyst for a statewide effort to remove barriers to access for visitors with disabilities,” Davidson said. “Their innovative spirit and commitment to collaboration toward this work truly knows no equal.”
The Partners Behind the Work
While the award recognizes the Travelability initiative, it also reflects the dedication of dozens of partners across the Oregon Coast who have invested time, funding, and leadership into making accessibility a shared priority.
The Oregon Coast Visitors Association is proud to help convene this collaborative effort alongside coastal destination organizations, city and county partners, accessibility advocates, tourism businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders who continue to move this work forward. From accessible beach equipment and Mobi-mats, to inclusive playgrounds, transportation improvements, accessibility verification, and community education, these efforts are reshaping how people of all abilities experience the Oregon Coast. Most importantly, they are improving quality of life for both visitors and the people who call the coast home.
Continuing the Momentum
As accessibility initiatives continue to expand across Oregon, the work of Oregon Coast Travelability stands as a powerful example of what can happen when communities collaborate across sectors and regions. This award belongs to the many partners who have contributed their energy, ideas, and passion to the effort, and to the shared vision of an Oregon Coast that is welcoming and accessible to all.
About the Oregon Coast Visitors Association
The Oregon Coast Visitors Association (OCVA) is the official Regional Destination Management Organization for the entire Oregon Coast as designated by the Oregon Tourism Commission (dba Travel Oregon).Through innovation, stewardship, and strategic investments, OCVA inspires travel and strengthens collaboration towards a sustainable coastal economy
OCVA has the honor of working with coastal communities to align partnerships, destination development projects, and destination marketing with the vision of creating an enriched coastal experience for all. This includes coastal stakeholders, new and returning visitors, and the natural resources that make these coveted experiences so magical.