Ocean Inn in Manzanita: A Model for Ecotourism and Stewardship on the Tillamook Coast

A trip to the Tillamook Coast typically includes a few key things — sun, sand, surf, and if you are lucky enough to stay at the Ocean Inn in Manzanita, stewardship. From dramatic cliffs and large mountain peaks, to the tiniest of tidepool creatures, our natural spaces need protection. Many businesses and organizations are involved in conservation efforts, but the Ocean Inn is leading the way in showing how to balance increasing tourism with respect to our environment on the Tillamook Coast.

Ocean Inn History

A native of Michigan, Janice Zagata couldn’t resist the call of the coast and found herself moving to Oregon in the 90s. She and her extended family built the oceanfront hotel in 1997, with Janice assuming full operation in 2006. That time was a busy one, with Janice learning the ins and outs of running a hotel, including operations, renovations, and promotion, all while raising two small girls. This time proved valuable, as it inspired her love and appreciation for the Oregon Coast, and spurred her interest in ecotourism and stewardship.

Diving into Ecotourism

Janice has always respected the ocean, but she became more invested in it once her daughter earned a degree in Marine Biology. Then, the idea of stewardship became a way of life, not just a hobby.

Janice started looking for ways that she could take a more active role in supporting our coastline and discovered the Kind Traveler program. For every guest reservation, $1 is collected from guests, and Ocean Inn then matches that amount. That money is donated to an organization hand-picked by Ocean Inn. Janice’s love of the ocean and desire to protect our land led her to the North Coast Land Conservancy, which she chose to be the recipient of her Kind Traveler donations.

To date, Janice has donated thousands of dollars to the NCLC. In addition to their participation in the Kind Traveler program, the Ocean Inn is one tiny step away from becoming certified as an “Ocean Friendly Hotel” by the Surfrider Foundation, which is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans and beaches. In order to be certified as an Ocean Friendly Hotel, locations must adhere to program criteria which includes rules around single-use plastic, recycling, and water.

Finally, Ocean Inn has created their own program: Ocean Stewards. This project was born during a beach walk with Janice and her daughter, where they noticed an extreme amount of microplastics had washed up after a storm. The sight of the microplastics was a call to action for Janice and her daughter, and they wanted to inspire their own guests as well. Visitors are encouraged to fill a bucket with microplastics they find on the beach, and when they turn it in, they receive $20 off their next stay!

A Coast that Cares

At times, the sheer magnitude of the challenges our outdoor spaces experience can feel like an impossible task. But Janice Zagata at Ocean Inn truly does believe that even small actions have a big impact. Her commitment to ecotourism and sustainability has educated and inspired hundreds of guests, who in turn, inspire others.

Guests leave the Tillamook Coast with a renewed sense of appreciation for our coastline and an enduring ownership over its fate. The Ocean Inn is a shining example of everything that is right with Tillamook Coast tourism.