Study Reveals 73 Percent of Kids Have Never Dipped Their Toes In the Pacific Ocean

SALEM, Ore., April 21 /PRNewswire/ -- While most Americans consider the Pacific Ocean an essential location for children to experience, nearly three out of four U.S. kids have never visited it, a startling fact uncovered in a recent survey conducted by the Travel Industry Association (TIA). The Oregon Tourism Commission (dba Travel Oregon) is responding by creating opportunities for children to splash in the Pacific surf.

TIA's nationally projectable survey of 2,252 U.S. adults revealed that 46 percent of the population regularly travels with children under the age of 18 and 73 percent of these kids have never visited the Pacific Ocean. Co-sponsored by Travel Oregon, the study was conducted in Dec. 2007.

"In this age of TV, the Internet and video games, children are more often losing touch with nature and not connecting with the world around them. Here in Oregon, we believe it's time to unplug and interact with the natural wonders of our world, like the Pacific Ocean," said Todd Davidson, Travel Oregon CEO. "With 363 miles of unspoiled shoreline, colorful sea life and chance for exploration, the Oregon Coast experience truly cannot be replicated."

explOREGON: The Pacific Ocean

In an effort to get kids outside experiencing nature in all forms, Travel Oregon today launched a new initiative -. called explOREGON -. inspiring children to discover tide pools, learn about unusual sea life, go whale watching and hunt for historic glass floats, not to mention enjoy kite flying, sandcastle building and more fun activities along the 363 miles of Oregon's public coastline.

In partnership with National Geographic Kids Magazine, explOREGON: The Pacific Ocean kicks off a nationwide contest offering children the chance to win a trip to explore the Oregon Coast. To enter, kids ages 6-14 submit a drawing and a letter of 100 words or fewer explaining what they would see, do and explore if given the chance. The contest is also open to those who have been to the Pacific Ocean already; their letters should highlight favorite memories of previous Pacific Ocean trips. One winner in each category will receive an all expense paid trip for four to the Oregon Coast this summer. Complete contest details and entry forms are available at http://www.TravelOregon.com/Kids.

Coinciding with the explOREGON contest, this month Travel Oregon launched a new kids' Web site -- http://www.TravelOregon.com/Kids -- featuring activities, games, educational information and trip planning tools for families.

About Travel Oregon

The mission of the Oregon Tourism Commission, dba Travel Oregon, is to encourage economic growth and enhance the quality of life in Oregon through a strengthened economic impact of tourism statewide. Visit http://www.traveloregon.com for more information.