TOURISM INDUSTRY NEWS & RESOURCES
This partner communication exists to provide updates on Sonoma County Tourism’s programs and offerings, along with additional news and resources to support Sonoma County’s tourism and hospitality industry.
December 13, 2022
As we come to the close of 2022, we look back on a year that continued our volatile ride. The year began with the promise of recovery, but a shuttering of our group gatherings. By Spring, we saw robust recovery in our leisure traveler sector driving up the revenue into the county due in large part to stays in the short-term rental sector, but also in traditional lodging properties. During the summer months, an enormous uptick in travelers feeling more comfortable getting on planes resulted in record numbers of travelers taking outbound international trips. And, as inflation took its toll on consumers’ wallets and gas prices surged, discretionary income was stretched further than ever. These impacts were seen here and in destinations across the country with a softer than expected summer. October was a spectacular month and we’re closing out the year launching our intentional marketing campaign designed to drive late fall and winter visitation.
 
To our Board and Committee members we send our great appreciation for the support and guidance throughout the year. To our partners across the tourism ecosystem, we give great thanks. We are successful when we work together, and this year has proven that time and again.
 
We anticipate 2023 will be another year that needs to be monitored very closely. The first two quarters may be challenging, but, barring any unforeseen issue, we expect the tourism industry will be almost normalized by summer. We’ll continue to keep you updated on trends and our research in the Tourism Information and Performance Newsletter, so be sure to keep an eye out for that.
 
From all of us at Sonoma County Tourism warm wishes for a very happy and healthy holiday season!  
Claudia Vecchio
President and CEO
Sonoma County Tourism
707-522-5804
Hygiene Products Drive
Throughout the remainder of the year, SCT and participating chambers and visitor centers are encouraging the donation of hygiene products to aid some of Sonoma County's most vulnerable residents. In January, the products will be donated to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa for distribution to those in need. Any assistance you can provide, from donating items, to helping promote this effort, is very much appreciated.

To learn more about the drive, including drop off locations, clickhere
Pause and Effect Campaign
Our public relations team is pleased to share Sonoma County Tourism’s latest campaign, “Pause and Effect” which is running now through April 2023. Five key campaign messages and supporting statements combine to form the foundation of the campaign which the PR team is proactively using in pitches to journalists worldwide.  
 
Key messages include: 

  • Sonoma County is a place that inspires you to pause and take time to reflect, connect and find joy in all moments, big and small.  
  • Taking time to pause and reflect is a part of Sonoma County’s roots. Pausing helps to fully participate in the moments of play, both in Sonoma County and beyond.  
  • Sonoma County invites you to become a good steward of the Earth. When traveling, this begins with an intentional decision to pause in our normal lives and seek out ways to travel mindfully and consider our impact on a destination.  
  • Life opens up in Sonoma County during moments of mindfulness and stillness.  
  • Sonoma County vacations provide an opportunity for longer pauses and meaningful moments of play, and this is best done when you are intentional with your travel choices. Wellbeing is a key pillar in Sonoma County, making it the ideal destination for reaping the benefits of vacations. 
 
We encourage you to use these campaign key messages and supporting statements as talking points in your daily interactions with locals and visitors alike. Question can be sent to the team at publicrelations@sonomacounty.com
Explore the Mobile App
Sonoma County Tourism has put the power of travel into visitor’s hands by introducing a new comprehensive, highly interactive, and user friendly visitor experience mobile app. The new application showcases Sonoma County while creating an engaging and intuitive way for visitors to research, plan, and experience their visit to the destination. The app even empowers users to work towards goals and challenges to unlock status badges and rewards.

Download the free Sonoma County App now on Google Play or in the Apple App Store. For more information visit the Sonoma County App page on the SCT website. Start discovering Sonoma County like never before!
Publicity Alert
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Sonoma County Tourism’s public relations efforts can help elevate the visibility of your business. Chances are higher when you host local, regional, or national travel and lifestyle journalists and influencers. Our public relations team invites you to send them any offers they can pitch to media. A few examples include what’s new, milestones and anniversary promotions, or wellness and sustainability/responsible travel experiences. It’s easy to add your special offer to our Media Handbook. Contact Biggi or Chris at publicrelations@sonomacounty.com.
Partner Accolades 
The California Michelin Guide awarded recently opened Cyrus in Geyserville with a one-star rating. It is one of only three restaurants in Sonoma County with star designations. The Guide awards up to three Michelin stars for excellence to a select few establishments. Three-starred SingleThread in Healdsburg retained its designation, as did one-starred Barndiva, a newcomer to the 2021 list.

  • The 2019 Anakota Cabernet Sauvignon from Knights Valley was recently poured at a State Dinner with President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington.

  • Sonoma County’s Bib Gourmands have been announced for 2022. It is a high honor given to eight of the county’s restaurants considered by the California Michelin Guide to be restaurants with “good food at a moderate price.” Receiving the awards were Healdsburg’s Chalkboard; El Molino Central, Valley Bar & Bottle and FolkTable in Sonoma; Khom Loi and Ramen Gaijin in Sebastopol, Stockhome in Petaluma, and Glen Ellen Star in Glen Ellen.


  • Fishetarian Fish Market of Bodega Bay has earned a Certificate of Sustainability from the Aquarium of the Bay for sourcing and serving sustainable seafood.
Holiday Gift Ideas from Farm to Pantry
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Need unique gift ideas that give back this holiday season? “Glean In” with our featured partners at Farm to Pantry:


Farm to Pantry (F2P) is a non-profit gleaning organization based in Healdsburg, connecting surplus produce to those in need with a mission to eliminate food waste and hunger. F2P brought on Duskie Estes, an energetic celebrity chef, as its Executive Director and is expanding its network of farms/properties, community partners and recipient distribution centers. They have also forged new working relationships with local chefs and restaurants to provide nutritious ingredients for dishes they are preparing for free meal delivery to families in need. Throughout the challenges of the past several years F2P has still been able to expand its efforts to rescue food and deliver it to community members facing food insecurity.
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Sonoma County Tourism | sonomacounty.com