"Bend is a great example of a community that set a goal - to make the town a national tourist destination - and succeeded.
The city ranked third on the 2008 "Best Performing Cities" (small metro) list, according the Milken Institute, a California-based think tank that tracks this list annually based on wage and salary growth, job growth, and high-tech sector growth. Much of the credit goes to residents' efforts to grow from a regional destination to a national one in just five years.
A large chunk of its tourism revenue flows from the nearby Cascade Range, where features include the Mount Bachelor ski resort, Cascades Lake, and the Deschutes River.
From 2003 to 2007, room-tax collections in Bend grew more than 55 percent. Three million people a year visit Bend, and 61 percent of those participate in outdoor activities. The tourism industry pumps an estimated $300 million annually into the local economy and employs nearly 16 percent of the Deschutes County work force. Trade, transportation, and utilities beat it out only slightly.
Bend has the highest average number of sunny days in the state, so it's not surprising that it's also quickly becoming a prime retiree destination. Apart from is high desert climate, retirees, locals, and tourists alike gravitate to Bend for its cultural offerings, great dining and nightlife, excellent healthcare, and small-town feel."
On a 1 to 10 scale, 10 being the highest, Bend was rated as follows:
Hospitality 8
Wholesomeness 9
Family Friendliness 8
Devotion to Religion 6
Culture 8
Community Activities 7
Scenic Beauty 10
Education 6
It's gratifying to see the area where we chose to live appreciated in the national media.
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