11/28/08 Sisters
 
by Ariel Wesler
 
It's a sign of the times.  Many cars drive through Sisters, but few are deciding to stop.  Now, hotels and resorts in the area offering a new incentive to get more people to stay, and shop.
 
"Everybody's feeling the squeeze this year," said Cherie Ferguson, Executive Director for the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce.
 
Five lodges have teamed up as part of the unique properties group of Sisters and put together a marketing strategy made of plastic.  Starting December 1st, a three night stay at Five Pine Lodge, Suttle Lake Lodge, Lake Creek Lodge, Black Butte Ranch, or Best Western Ponderosa will earn you a $100 Visa gift card.
 
"This is more or less our way of just trying to give everybody a boost whether they be visitors, retailers, dining establishments," Ferguson said.
 
"Is it the economy?  The lack of snow?  I think it's a combination of both," said Best Western Ponderosa Manager Paul Haggerty.
 
He says his occupancy levels have been pretty stable until now.  His holiday bookings have dropped 18 percent.  Five Pine Lodge says overall, this year is the slowest they've ever seen.  Haggerty hopes a little teamwork will help everyone.
 
"If you pool your resources, then you can realize a better benefit than if you were to do it singlely," Haggerty said.
 
The card is good anywhere but Sisters retailers say there is no guarantee they will reap the benefits.  Still, bringing more people into town will increase the odds.
 
"It just depends on where they want to spend their hundred dollars.  It may be here.  It may be someplace else, but that'll keep them uptown and help somebody," said John Leavitt, onwer of Leavitt's in Sisters.
 
And businesses hope a good experience for visitors will keep them coming back.
 
The card is valid through April 30th.