REDMOND, Ore. -- Roberts Field attracts all types of air travelers -- and soon, some of those passengers might be able to stay nearby.

The city of Redmond is now accepting proposals for a hotel to be on the property.

Even with the down economy, the newly remodeled Redmond Airport is seeing more traffic than ever.

Alana Audette of the Central Oregon Visitors Association said Monday she attributes much of that to events at the Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center.

"As events increase at the Expo Center, I'm certain there's going to be an increase demand for on-site accommodations," said Audette.

And for those visiting Central Oregon to attend events like last week's International BMW Motorcycle Rally, they won't have to go far to get to those accommodations.

Carrie Novick, manager of Roberts Field, says the hotel would be built on land near the Expo Center's sign.

"The airport has about 17 acres there, and eventually there will probably be three hotels in that area," said Novick.

The region's tourism leaders say the new hotel next to the airport would only boost Central Oregon's appeal to visitors.

"Anytime we're looking at expanded product development, it certainly helps the Central Oregon Visitor's Association position the region as a destination," Audette said.

Novick says proposals for the hotel will be accepted until Oct. 21.

She says the airport has a few things they are looking for when it comes to deciding who gets the bid.

"We're looking for a branded hotel which means a chain, and we're interested in a three-star hotel," said Novick. "And we just have to see if that, as they say, it's the marketplace that is going to drive that."

Interviews with applicants will be held in November and city officials hope to have a developer chosen by late December -- but construction wouldn't start until 2011 at the earliest.

"By the time they do the plans and everything else, and you generally don't start construction in the winter time, so probably next year," said Novick.

The visitors association says any hint of a comeback for the economy is good news for the region.

"We're seeing signs of optimism, and the fact that the airport wants to move forward with a proposal process, is also a positive indicator," Audette said.