View as Webpage to Share with Others

Today's Takeaways From SCT's director of marketing systems & insights, Ariane Hiltebrand

This week’s traveler sentiment update by Destination Analysts reveals that American travelers are increasingly ready to travel and booking travel in recent weeks despite concerns about a possible new case surge. Since half of American travelers are vaccinated by now, they feel more confident in all travel activities and nearly half believe their life will go back to normal by September.

Destination Analysts Key Findings to Know From Destination Analysts' Travel Sentiment Report

When asked the likelihood that the U.S. will experience another COVID surge in 2021, 53.8% of American travelers said that this was indeed likely—an anticipation strongest in the Midwest and among older travelers. Yet while the majority expects another surge to occur, they don’t appear to believe it will necessarily impact themselves. Anxiety about contracting coronavirus—as well as the pandemic’s financial impact—is down. In terms of when Americans will go traveling, July continues to strengthen as a peak month for travel, as now one-third of American travelers report at least tentative trip plans for that month. Travel also looks to continue this fall—nearly a quarter of American travelers say they have trips planned for September and about 22% have at least tentative plans in October. 41.3% say they are not ready for tourists in town just yet—however, this is a far cry from the 67.6% who felt this way a year ago (and also represents a record low). Positive sentiment towards tourism in one’s own community is generally much stronger among those Millennial-age compared to those in older generations. It appears that, particularly for certain activities, an important proportion of American travelers is in favor of proof-of-vaccination policies. When asked how comfortable they would be with vaccine passports being used widely in the U.S. to allow access to public activities, 52.0% said they would be comfortable or very comfortable—a feeling strongest among older travelers and those who have already been vaccinated. A majority of American travelers also say they believe proof of COVID-19 vaccination should be required for entry to the United States from another country, boarding a cruise line, and boarding a commercial flight. More than 4-in-10 say they believe vaccination proof should be required to attend an indoor performance like a concert and to attend large scale outdoor sporting events.

Events and Meetings Update From SCT's group business development manager, Samantha Paull

As a reminder, starting April 15 and until the tier restrictions are lifted as anticipated on June 15, the gathering is allowed as follows: Gatherings beginning April 15:  In the Red Tier, outdoor gatherings of up to 25 people are allowed. The gathering size increases to 50 people in the Orange Tier and 100 people in the Yellow Tier. In the Purple Tier, only outdoor gatherings are allowed, and they are limited to three households. Indoor gatherings are strongly discouraged in all tiers but are allowed with modifications and capacity limits in the Red, Orange, and Yellow tiers.   NOTE: The above listed applies to: Social, informal gatherings (no defined guest list required, no testing or vaccination required) and this can be applied to non-ticketed “social gathering” without a defined guest list. Private events or meetings such as receptions or conferences beginning April 15: In all tiers, modifications are required to reduce risk. This includes pre-purchased tickets or a defined guest list and assigned seating. In the Purple Tier, these activities are only allowed outdoors, and capacity is limited to 25 people. If all guests are tested or show proof of full vaccination, capacity increases to up to 100 people. In the Red Tier, outdoor gatherings are limited to 50 people, and capacity increases to 200 if all guests are tested or show proof of full vaccination. In this tier, indoor activities are allowed if all guests are tested or show proof of full vaccination; capacity is limited to 100 people. In the Orange Tier, outdoor gatherings are limited to 100 people, and capacity increases to 300 if all guests are tested or show proof of full vaccination. In this tier, indoor activities are allowed if all guests are tested or show full proof of vaccination; capacity is limited to 150 people. In the Yellow Tier, outdoor gatherings are limited to 200 people, and capacity increases to 400 if all guests are tested or show proof of full vaccination. In this tier, indoor activities are allowed if all guests are tested or show full proof of vaccination; capacity is limited to 200 people. NOTE: The above listed would apply for events where you have a pre-purchased ticket or a defined guest list and assigned seating, which can be applied to groups booking private parties/event so long as everyone in attendance has purchased a ticket or is on a defined guest list and assigned a seat and that the event is not left open to anyone to attend/for anyone to fill a spot without pre-registration/assignment.

Website Insights for sonomacounty.com

During the period of March 26-April 1, the top content that people were engaging with on the website was: coronavirus page, homepage, wineries, events and things to do. Our blog saw traffic for spring activities, restaurants with views, 10 wineries, what to expect when visiting now. San Francisco is #1 and represents 15% of the total traffic this past week. San José is #3, Los Angeles is #4, Sacramento is #6, Oakland moved up to #7. We see 3 out-of-state cities in the top 25: New York, Chicago, and Seattle.

STR Tracking for Sonoma County

Things to Note:  This is the third week compared to last year that hotels were closed due to the pandemic. Please note percentages will continue to be comparatively high in the coming weeks and months.  STR is comparing “Weekly Year Over Year.” 47 of the county’s 125 hotels report to STR. The average from other destinations includes: Napa, Palm Springs, Monterey, South Lake Tahoe, and Vallejo/Napa Valley. For more information on how data is calculated due to hotel closures, please refer to this document.

Smith Travel Research (STR) is the recognized leader in hospitality industry benchmarking around the globe. Powered by the world's largest hotel data sample, they deliver confidential data, accurate and actionable insights, and comprehensive solutions to empower decisions. Discover how STR collects data, how it is calculated, and a glossary of terms, by clicking here.