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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Well, here we are … 2022. It’s a new year and with it come new issues and new opportunities. Let me begin by saying we continue to be bullish about tourism in Sonoma County. We fully believe that by the spring, our industry will be welcoming individual travelers and groups to our glorious destination. There’s no better time than spring for “life to open up” and along with it a renewed vigor toward travel, reconnecting and finding joy in the extraordinary journey.
There is no question we continue to face tremendous headwinds with COVID’s ongoing impact to travel. Just last week Longwoods International, SCT’s research partner, conducted a traveler sentiment survey and found that 34% of travelers were canceling or postponing trips due to the newest variant. We will likely continue to see variants come and go. It will be imperative that we learn to manage each and take the precautions necessary to ensure our industry can continue to function (and flourish) in a responsible way – we already do this exceedingly well.
SCT also is embarking on a destination resiliency and sustainability master plan. This major effort will begin in February with the goal of creating a long-term road map to becoming a highly functional, sustainable and resilient destination for both visitors and residents. It is in everyone’s best interest for us to proactively determine our future rather than allowing controllable future events to upend our industry and the region’s economy.
It is going to be another challenging, but exciting year. We look forward to your partnership as we continue to elevate Sonoma County as a spectacular place to live, work and visit.
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Claudia Vecchio
President and CEO
Sonoma County Tourism
707-522-5804
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New and Ongoing Health Mandates
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Earlier this week, Sonoma County Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase issued a health order canceling large gatherings from Jan. 12 through Feb. 11. In the order, large gatherings of more than 50 people indoors, or more than 100 people outdoors (where social distancing is not feasible), are prohibited.
A “gathering” for purposes of this order is any public or private event or convening that brings people together in a single room or single space at the same time, such as an auditorium, gymnasium, stadium, arena, large conference room, wedding venue, meeting hall, or any other indoor or outdoor space.
The order does not apply to attendance at work, courthouses, places of worship, cafeterias, or any venue that is open to public circulation as part of its regular operations such as shopping malls, stores, restaurants/food facilities, and museums. Nor does it apply to regular school instructional events such as daily classes or outdoor recess.
The County press release announcing this order can be accessed here.
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New workplace COVID-19 Rules
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After exposure in the workplace, employees can no longer run self-administered, self-read tests to prove negative status. Tests must either be administered in a laboratory or under the supervision of a health care representative or supervisor.
Additionally, face coverings must now consist of either a surgical mask, a medical procedure mask, or a tightly woven fabric (or non-woven material) of at least two layers. In the case of a fabric mask, it must not let light pass through when held up to a light source.
To learn more, visit the California Department of Industrial Relations here.
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After a lengthy delay due to the coronavirus pandemic, Sonoma County Tourism is excited to finally move forward with the development of a Destination Master Plan for Sonoma County. Assisting SCT in this effort will be the Coraggio Group, a management consulting firm based out of Portland, Oregon. The group will work closely with SCT’s Senior Research Manager to meet with hospitality partners, business and civic leaders, and residents to identify goals and build a roadmap for guiding Sonoma County’s development into the future.
More information on this exciting project will be made available in the coming weeks.
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Visit California Poppy Awards Nominations
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Sonoma County Tourism is pleased to announce it has been nominated by Visit California’s Poppy Awards for Best Public Relations Campaign and for the Destination Stewardship & Sustainable Travel Award.
The Best Public Relations Campaign category recognizes the best use of earned media and media activations to draw attention to destinations. The Destination Stewardship & Sustainable Travel Award recognizes efforts to create a balanced recovery that delivers economic benefits while also addressing negative environmental and socio-cultural impacts.
The Poppy Awards, which received a record 218 entries from California tourism businesses and destinations, will take place at the conclusion of the Outlook Forum conference the evening of Feb. 15.
To learn more about the Visit California Poppy Awards and see the entire list of categories and finalists, click here.
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Integrated Marketing Opportunities
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Sonoma County Tourism is pleased to continue its integrated marketing opportunities across its visitor inspiration guide, wedding guide, map, website and email programs. Developed in collaboration with Miles Partnership, these affordable programs offer new ways to reach highly qualified potential visitors across all of Sonoma County Tourism's marketing channels.
The spring/summer inspiration guide launches in March 2022 with opportunities for full, half and quarter page advertising. SCT will continue to offer native advertising on SonomaCounty.com and email opportunities year-round as well as featured business listings which are located in distinct grids on the website that put your business at top-of-mind for potential visitors.
Additional opportunities include advertising in the weddings guide launching May 2022, printed map in April 2022, and fall/winter inspiration guide in September 2022.
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SCT’s New Senior Manager of Digital Marketing
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Sonoma County Tourism is delighted to introduce its new Senior Manager of Digital Marketing, Achilles Stravoravdis. Achilles was born on the island of Corfu (Greece) and moved to California in his early teens where he quickly developed a thirst for all things technology during Silicon Valley’s explosive 90’s boom. A strong entrepreneurial spirit has driven Achilles to build several successful companies specializing in web development/e-commerce.
Achilles and his wife reside in Sebastopol, and when he’s not knee deep researching the latest and greatest digital trends, you can find him refining his horticulture skills and drinking homemade espresso. If you would like to extend a hello, you can email Achilles at astravoravdis@sonomacounty.com.
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Sonoma County Restaurant Week 2022
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Sonoma County Restaurant Week returns next month, running February 21-27. Last year’s Restaurant Week generated $6.37 million in economic impact for Sonoma County and served as a wonderful means of expressing support to restaurants during challenging economic times.
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