PORT ANGELES — Business and government entities in the Port Angeles area need to focus on outdoor winter recreation as a source of major economic benefit to the community, the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce was told Monday.
Greg Halberg, one of the board members of Friends of Olympic National Park, told an audience of about 65 that all forms of outdoor recreation in and out of the park should be the drive of the effort.
The group met for its weekly lunch meeting at the Port Angeles CrabHouse Restaurant at the Red Lion Hotel.
Using hotel occupancy as an example, Halberg pointed out that from December to March, occupancy fell to about 30 percent from the near-full rates in peak season in August.
“Thirty percent occupancy from December to March is not a sustainable economy,” he said.
“Outdoor recreation is an effective way to increase winter visits.”
He added that although students are in school during those months, visitation during September is still high, despite the start of the school year.
