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.
August 4, 2020
It’s almost impossible to believe we’re into August already. The ups and downs and starts and stops of the past four months have made time pass in a surreal way. We’re seeing pick-up in visitation and advance booking for future travel, but nothing stalls tourism faster than uncertainty and we’re definitely in the midst of that. We so appreciate our businesses that continue to find creative ways to reach customers and who are hosting people (safely) in the destination. We’re seeing really nice media and influencer coverage as well as social media engagement - very good signs for the future. This is going to be a super busy month with the start of school and harvest. Know that SCT will continue to work on your behalf to be a megaphone for the destination and to ensure a safe travels environment. Take good care.  
Claudia Vecchio
President and CEO
Sonoma County Tourism
707-522-5804
Register for SCT’s annual meeting

Registration is now open for SCT’s annual meeting — Aug. 26 at 10:30 a.m.

Hear from Sonoma County Tourism regarding the challenging FY19-20 year and plans for the upcoming year.

Gain insights about consumer sentiment and Sonoma County’s visitation from Amir Eylon, President, Longwoods International.

Learn about social interconnectivity with Jessica Blotter, owner, Kind Traveler.

All in a 90-minute session!

Admission is free, but registration is required to attend this virtual meeting.
Tourism Cares recap
A fleet of 20 vehicles departed from Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country Saturday morning as part of our Tourism Cares “Hospitality Counts” census awareness event. The caravan paraded through a route of census designated hard-to-count neighborhoods in northwest Santa Rosa; honking horns and waving hands to raise awareness of this crucial once-in-a-decade effort.

The caravan was organized in partnership with CAP Sonoma and the U.S. Census Bureau as the premiere event of Sonoma County Census Action Week, which runs through August 8.

We sincerely thank Vince Harper and Albert Lerma for working with us on this event. We also extend our gratitude to Gina Noto and Gene Gay from Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country, Santa Rosa City Councilman Ernesto Olivares, Tracy Mattson from COOKIE...take a bite!, and all of our wonderful volunteers.

Have you been counted? Take the census today at https://2020census.gov. 
Hashtag help

Travel analysts across the U.S. uniformly agree the number one messaging priority above all other marketing messaging should be safety. It is vital Sonoma County tourism and hospitality businesses actively communicate safety protocols implemented in response to COVID-19.

To that end, we ask that when you post about your business’s enhanced safety protocols, you include the hashtag #keepsonomasafe. Doing so will help us better position Sonoma County as a destination committed to the safety of our visitors and residents.

Thank you. #keepsonomasafe
Russian River Vineyards + SAY

Although our Stars of the Industry segment has been taking a breather, we wanted to highlight another Sonoma County winery doing good for our community.

Russian River Vineyards is currently holding a wine sale in support of Social Advocates for Youth. Proceeds from purchases of their 2018 Petersen Vineyards Stainless Steel Chardonnay, 2016 Stony Point Pinot Noir, and 2018 Gianna May Rose of Pinot Noir will be donated to SAY to support its life changing services.

Social Advocates for Youth provides housing, counseling, and career services to youth and families throughout Sonoma County.

Visit the SAY website here to learn more about this promotion and to order some delicious wine for a great cause. 
U.S. Travel reacts to economic plunge

The U.S. Travel Association continues to do an admirable job advocating on behalf of our industry. We wanted to bring to your attention U.S. Travel’s public statement released late last week in response to news of the record plunge in U.S. GDP.

“The travel industry, which helped employ one in 10 Americans last year, has been hit hardest by the economic fallout of the pandemic—having lost half its jobs already and on track for a drop of more than a half-trillion dollars in traveler spending by year’s end. Travel workers have a strong case to be a top priority in the next legislative package, and unless their employers can survive the worst of this downturn, a massive share of those jobs simply will not come back even as the overall economy begins to improve.”

You can read the full statement from U.S. Travel here.
Resources

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.


Get tested and help Sonoma County eliminate the coronavirus. Broad COVID-19 viral testing is now available. Learn more here.

The County of Sonoma’s SoCo Emergency webpage offers COVID-19 resources, support, and information.