TOURISM INDUSTRY NEWS & RESOURCES |
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This partner communication exists to provide timely information on Sonoma County’s tourism and hospitality industry, along with resources to help partners navigate through the COVID-19 crisis and beyond. |
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Great thanks to all in the tourism and hospitality industry for continuing to manage through an increasingly difficult situation. While we cannot completely understand what all the small business owners, artists and entrepreneurs are facing, we promise to continue fighting for you and for this industry.
We will soon be launching a social media campaign to join with other organizations encouraging people to shop and give the gift of Sonoma County this holiday season. If you have a fun or innovative way you’re reaching out to your customers, we’d love to share it! Please let us know at marketing@sonomacounty.com.
And, as a gentle reminder of what tourism means to us as human beings, as neighbors and as explorers, take a moment to watch the WTTC video noted below. It’s a lovely journey into what makes our industry so relevant and special.
Take very good care,
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Claudia Vecchio
President and CEO
Sonoma County Tourism
707-522-5804
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COVID-19 Testing Guidance for Businesses
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In a Partner Alert sent out last week, we requested partners look over key action items developed by Sonoma County Tourism and the Sonoma County Hospitality Association to help move us forward in the state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy.
The County of Sonoma has released a new poster in English and Spanish outlining COVID-19 testing guidance for businesses, along with where to find information on what to do if an employee tests positive for the coronavirus.
If you are interested in setting up testing at your place of business, please email Kelly Bass Seibel at kseibel@sonomacounty.com and she can provide you a list of laboratories.
Testing is crucial to moving Sonoma County out of the purple tier and through the other tiers toward reopening. Thank you for your continued support of this important initiative.
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Recommended Health & Safety Protocols from CHLA
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The California Hotel and Lodging Association (CHLA) recently unveiled updated health and safety protocols designed to avoid risks of viral transmission. Recommendations include electronic registration, new attendee arrival procedures, increased reliance on touchless presentation technology, breaks for spaces to be disinfected, use of multiple rooms for a single event, assigned seating, and contactless/cashless transactions.
You can learn more about CHLA’s recommended protocols here.
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World Travel and Tourism Council video
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The World Travel and Tourism Council has released a video as part of its Social Impact campaign. The new campaign builds on the wanderlust of WTTC's first Together in Travel campaign and presents the deeper benefit and positive impact that travel and tourism have on local communities.
Enjoy the inspirational new video here, and share your story using #togetherintravel.
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Preparing for Rain After Wildfires
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The County of Sonoma encourages residents living in and around wildfire burn areas to prepare for the rainy season. Preparing now, for future winter storms, is important for your safety and the protection of our watershed. Businesses located in and around burn areas should be aware of potential threats and take measures to prepare property for the rainy season. Many properties within and downstream of any burn area are at higher risk for flash floods, rock falls, debris flows, and mud flows.
To learn about what the County is doing to assess and reduce the risk of flooding, along with information on how you can prepare your property for rain, click here.
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Weatherizing Temporary Outdoor Dining Areas
With temperatures beginning to drop, the Petaluma Area Chamber of Commerce recently reminded its members to check with the city before “weatherizing” temporary outdoor dining areas to confirm any tents, lighting, and/or heaters adhere to fire and building rules and ADA compliancy.
SCT thanks the Petaluma Chamber for reminding us of the importance of checking in with your city before purchasing equipment or making changes to your outdoor space. Petaluma businesses can email econdev@cityofpetaluma.org for guidance on safely weatherizing temporary outdoor dining areas.
Businesses from other Sonoma County municipalities are encouraged to reach out to their respective governing bodies for guidance on safely weatherizing outdoor spaces.
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Photography 101 Partner Education Session
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Sonoma County Tourism is pleased to offer a free partner education session on photography, via Zoom, on Nov. 5 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
This hands-on session (led by Sonoma County Tourism’s director of brand development, Spencer Spellman) will share tips and tricks, how-tos, and information for partners looking to upgrade their photography.
This session is for anyone who needs to freshen up their website photos, wants to take better pictures for social media, or simply wants to know how to edit their existing photos.
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Sonoma County Tourism has a Coronavirus Partner Toolkit regularly updated here.
The Sonoma County Economic Development Board has compiled a comprehensive list of local, state, and government resources (including financing options) for businesses at their SoCo Launch website here.
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Get tested and help Sonoma County eliminate the coronavirus. Broad COVID-19 viral testing is now available. Learn more here.
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