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Vacation Home Agency Expands to North Oregon Coast |
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Covering 180 miles of Oregon coast travel: Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Nehalem, Wheeler, Rockaway, Garibaldi, Tillamook, Oceanside, Pacific City, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Newport, Waldport, Yachats & Florence.
02/09/08
Secrets of the Season |
Vacation Home Agency Expands to North Oregon Coast
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| Cannon Beach: Oregon Beach Vacations will have a north coast office here as of March 1 |
(Cannon Beach, Oregon) – It all began in 1999 as a two-person travel office in the Portland area, and this year it’s grown to employ more than 85 people and includes a sprawling vacation rental agency that covers both the central Oregon coast and the north Oregon coast.
Oregon Beach Vacations, with a sizable office at the northern end of Lincoln City, began in 2004 as an offshoot business of Portland’s River City Travel. Owners David McElveen and Joe Murray boast some 123 homes for coastal vacationers in Pacific City, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Newport, Waldport and Yachats, as well as one in Rockaway Beach. Soon, that lone rental in the north coast town will have some company, as Oregon Beach Vacations gets ready to expand its operation to include cities all the way up to Astoria.
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| Oregon Beach Vacations' main office is currently in Lincoln City. Pictured here: a beach access not too far from the office |
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"We’ll have an office in Cannon Beach as of March 1," McElveen said.
Rental homes will be located in Manzanita, Cannon Beach, Seaside and Astoria, although currently McElveen and Murray only have one in Seaside officially on board. But over time, with the increased popularity of the Lincoln City-based operation, many single homeowners have approached them about signing on if they ever expanded to the north coast.
“We kept a list of people who expressed interest should we ever move up north,” McElveen said. “And now we’re just getting to the point of calling them. The prediction is that in 12 months we’ll have 40 units. If for some reason we don’t, we’ll be looking into acquisitions.”
River City Travel – one of the biggest travel agencies in Portland - handles various corporate travel needs, largely for Oregon employees traveling throughout the state. It also handles some state government travel needs. The company and its website boast various amenities, such as 24 hour service by phone.
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| One of Oregon Beach Vacations' homes in Waldport |
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Expanding into the vacation rental business on the coast seems at first glance a bit of a stretch for such a travel agency. But Murray and McElveen began to see a need, especially for what they do.
“It was a vision of River City Travel for a while,” McElveen said. “Our focus was on corporate travel, but we found we had a lot of executives asking us about getting rentals on the Oregon coast. There seemed to be a lot of demand, so we began looking into it.”
At first, they approached other rental agencies on the Oregon coast, inquiring if they could get travel agency commissions if they sent business their way. They got a lot of “no’s.” After asking around quite a bit, the answer was still “no,” and the pair opted to go their own way.
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| Yachats: the agency also has homes in this area |
“In 2004 we opened the property management business,” McElveen said. “Home owners began coming to us. By the end of the first year, we had sixty rental homes.”
From 60 homes to 123 some three years later is a good doubling of business. Even more astonishing is that Murray and McElveen expect their companies to pull in about $60 million in the next year – and that’s from a two-person operation about nine years ago.
A1 Beach Rentals, Lincoln City. Perfect for large family vacations all the way down to a getaway lodging for two - with over 25 vacation rental homes to choose from. A breathtaking collection of craftsman or traditional beachfront homes, or oceanview houses – from one to seven bedrooms. In various areas of Lincoln City and overlooking the beach, with some in Depoe Bay. All kinds of amenities are available, like hot tubs, decks, BBQ, rock fireplaces, beamed ceilings and more. Some are new, some are historic charmers. Lincoln City, Oregon. 1-(503)-232-5984. www.a1beachrentals.com. |
Part of the secret of their growth, especially the number of coastal homeowners coming to them, is in their aggressive marketing strategies, McElveen says.
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| Their north coast office will soon feature vacation rentals in Seaside |
“They’re seeing us everywhere,” he said. “We’re in print, on the web, on the radio, and we’re doing some TV ads. We’re also a sponsor of the Trailblazers. But I want to see us more places.”
Another part of their success lies in the complimentary skills of the business partners. McElveen says he’s the sales whiz, while Murray has the travel skills. “He’s got all the organizational abilities,” McElveen said.
Currently, the Oregon Beach Vacations office in Lincoln City employs 15 people, including cleaning staff. When the high season comes along, that will increase greatly, McElveen said.
The Cannon Beach office will be located at 1235 Hemlock, in the mid-town area. The Lincoln City office phone number is 800-723-2383.
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Tradewinds Motel, Rockaway Beach. All rooms are immaculate and have TV’s, VCR’s and in-room phones w/ data ports. Oceanfronts have queen bed, a double hide-a-bed, kitchen, cozy firelog fireplace and private deck. Both types sleep up to four people. Others are appointed for a two-person romantic getaway, yet still perfect for those on a budget. Elaborate oceanfront Jacuzzi suite has two bedrooms, kitchen, double hide-a-bed, fireplace and private deck, sleeping as many as six. For family reunions or large gatherings such as weddings, some rooms can connect to create two-room and three-room suites. Some rooms pet friendly. 523 N. Pacific St., Rockaway Beach. (503) 355-2112 - 1-800-824-0938. www.tradewinds-motel.com |
 Inn
at Cannon Beach. Beautifully wooded natural setting at quiet south
end of Cannon Beach. Great during winter storms with a new book by
the fireplace – or when the sun is out for family fun and beach
strolling. Handsome beach cottage-style architecture. Lush flowering
gardens and naturalized courtyard pond. Warm, inviting guest rooms.
Continental buffet breakfast. Warm Cookies. Family and Pet Friendly.
Welcome gifts. Smoke-free. Complimentary Wireless Connectivity. Wine
and book signing events. 800-321-6304 or 503-436-9085. Hemlock At
Surfcrest, Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.atcannonbeach.com. |
The Ocean Lodge. There will not be another property built like this in Cannon Beach in our lifetimes. Rare, premiere ocean front location; handsome, dramatic architecture and tasteful, fun (nostalgic) beach interiors. Overlooks Haystack Rock. 100 percent smoke free. Imaginative special occasion packages. Massive wood burning lobby fireplace. Library w/ fireplace, stocked with impressive book collection. Pet and family friendly. Lavish continental buffet breakfast. In-room fireplaces, mini-kitchens. Jacuzzi tubs in select rooms. DVD players, complimentary movies. Morning paper. Warm cookies. 888-777-4047. 503-436-2241. 2864 Pacific Street. Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.theoceanlodge.com |
D Sands Condominium Motel, Lincoln City. Free, fresh baked cookie upon check-in is just the start. All rooms beachfront and up against Lincoln City's most famous stretch of beach: the D River. Each room comes as a suite or mini-suite, and has a kitchen and balcony or patio. Some w/ gas fireplaces, while all have a DVD Players; movies to rent come with free popcorn. Heated indoor pool, a spa, and this fabulous beach is lit at night. Rooms sleep from two, four to six - including a deluxe fireplace suite. Gift certificates orspecial occasion packages. www.dsandsmotel.com. 171 S.W. Highway 101. 800-527-3925. |
Weiss' Paradise Suites & Vacation Rentals - Seaside
Unique Luxury Accommodations in Seaside. 1BR Suites,
1BR & 2BR Duplex Units and 3BR Houses, units for 2-8 people.
Rent entire property for 20-26. Close to beach, river and Broadway
St. |
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Arch
Cape Property Services.
Dozens of homes in that dreamy,
rugged stretch between Cannon Beach and Manzanita known as Arch
Cape. Oceanfront and ocean view , or just a short walk from the
sea. |
Lincoln City Vacation Homes Something for everyone: smaller homes with a view to a large house that sleeps 15. All are either oceanfront or just a few steps away – all with a low bank access and fantastic views. Most are in the Nelscott area; one is close to the casino. You’ll find a variety of goodies: fireplaces, multiple bedrooms, dishwashers, Jacuzzis, washer/dryers, hot tubs, cable TV, VCR, barbecues; there’s a loft in one, and another sprawling home has two apartments. Pets allowed in some homes – ask first. Each comes with complete kitchens. Most have seventh night free. Prices range from winter $85 to summer $230 per night. www.getaway2thecoast.com. 541-994-8778. |
Inn At Spanish Head, Lincoln City. Lincoln City’s only resort hotel built right on the beach with all oceanfront rooms - nestled against a rugged cliffside overlooking a soft, sandy beach. Dine in penthouse restaurant and bar, for casual meal or candlelight dinner. An array of seafood specialties, juicy steaks and other Northwest favorites, including decadent Sunday buffet. Rooms range from bedrooms to studios to 1-bedroom suites with microwaves and refrigerators to full kitchens. Also, wi-fi, spa, saunas, exercise room and year-round heated swimming pool. Kids will love the game room and easy beach access. Full-service conference/meeting rooms for that inspirational retreat; extensive wedding possibilities. 4009 SW Highway 101, Lincoln City. 1-800-452-8127 or 541-996-2161. www.spanishhead.com |
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