March 31, 2022
IN THIS ISSUE…
- Good News for the Meetings and Conference Industry
- Defending ADA Lawsuits May be More Difficult with New Legislation
- Inaugural California State Parks Week Launches in June
PAST TRAVEL FORECASTS…
- March 31, 2022
- March 17, 2022
- March 3, 2022
- February 10, 2022
- January 31, 2022
- January 13, 2022
- December 9, 2021
- November 17, 2021
- October 28, 2021
- October 14, 2021
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- August 19, 2021
- August 5, 2021
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- May 27, 2021
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- April 15, 2021
- April 1, 2021
- March 18, 2021
- March 4, 2021
- February 18, 2021
- February 4, 2021
- January 21, 2021
- January 13, 2021
- January 6, 2021
Good News for the Meetings and Conference Industry
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced that effective April 1st, guidance for mega-events will change from requiring or proof of a negative test to strongly recommending vaccinations or proof of a negative test. A mega-event is defined as an event with 1,000 or more attendees indoors or 10,000 or more attendees outdoors. This new guidance will apply to all events with over 1,000 people and will also include places of worship. This change in guidance serves well for the meetings and conference sector of the tourism industry. VSCC is planning a focus group for meeting planners this season which will look for professional insight on how to best promote this valuable market.
Although these recommendations do not change current travel requirements, including the requirement to wear masks on public transportation and indoors in U.S. transportation hubs like airports, Santa Cruz County’s Low COVID-19 Community Level is a promising indication that meetings and retreats are poised for a comeback regionally.
The shift acknowledges that while case rates and hospitalizations are declining statewide from their peak during the Omicron surge, indoor mega-events continue, with several known risk factors.
The change in requirement is due in large part to the collective efforts of Californians getting vaccinated and wearing masks. California’s SMARTER Plan (Shots, Masks, Awareness, Readiness, Testing, Education, and Prescriptions) – which some health experts have labeled an “endemic” plan – shifts California away from a constant emergency mindset and toward one that assumes the state will be living with the virus for the foreseeable future, Newsom and state health leaders said.
In late February, CDPH reported statewide test positivity at 3.6 percent, down substantially from 22.6 percent at the omicron peak.
Defending ADA Lawsuits May be More Difficult with New Legislation
The California Hotel & Lodging Association (CHLA) has made a new bill top priority at the upcoming Legislative Action Summit in Sacramento on April 6th. Assembly Bill 2962 (Assembly Judiciary Committee, 2022) would allow high-frequency litigants who target hotels for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) lawsuits to circumvent state law and bring claims to federal court. Hoteliers will face even more challenges defending themselves against these types of claims.
In one such case, a southern California firm has now filed over 565 lawsuits with nine different plaintiffs. The plaintiffs insist that the ADA regulations require the disclosure of very specific details, down to detailed measurements, for some accessibility features in accessible rooms.
CHLA provides an ADA Protection Program as a resource for hoteliers currently affected by high-frequency litigants. CHLA members who have been sued for such claims can hire CHLA’s preferred attorney – who specializes in ADA lawsuits – for a flat legal fee of $2,500 per claim to defend them, significantly less than the legal fees members otherwise would incur to defend such cases. Information including an accessibility requirements checklist, website accessibility resources, webinar recordings and information regarding pool lifts, service animals, and marketing, and information from ADA.gov can be found by logging into the CHLA member portal here. For more information on these resources or to learn how to become a member, email CHLA at this link.
Inaugural California State Parks Week Launches in June
Advancing the national “Outdoors for All” and the statewide “California Outdoors For All” initiatives, California State Parks, Save the Redwoods League, Parks California, and the California State Parks Foundation are collectively launching the inaugural California State Parks Week, taking place June 14th – 18th.
Across the country, parks experienced increased visitation over the last two years, in large part due to the pandemic. Santa Cruz County alone is home to 14 state parks and beaches, more than any other county in California. California State Parks Week underscores the critical role these parks play in communities like ours. Part of the initiative involves equitably expanding Californians’ access to parks, beaches, and open spaces while preserving natural, cultural, and tribal resources throughout the state. Community events and in-person and virtual programming are all planned.
Does your organization plan to host an outdoor event for California State Parks Week? VSCC the details using this online form for inclusion on our online Events listings page!
Update Your Work Remote Policy
The California Lodging Industry Association and the California Chamber of Commerce remind employers to keep their Remote Work Policy up to date. As the pandemic hit two years ago this month, employers faced the reality of staff working from home and later, working a hybrid schedule. For those whose existing policy hasn’t been revised in a while, now is also the time to revisit your remote work agreement to maintain the expectations your company has for employees who work remotely.
Teen Job Fair Scheduled
Looking for talent for your staff as the summer season approaches? The Access2Employment Teen Job Fair, sponsored by Santa Cruz Employment Access is scheduled for Wednesday, April 20, 2022. This event is free for employers and job seekers. Employers interested in participating can contact Amanda Ares at 831.420.5437 to register.
Open Studios Applications Now Being Accepted
Applications for the 2022 Open Studios Art Tour are now available. The application deadline is Saturday, April 30, 2022, at midnight. The next application assistance workshop will take place on April 16th. Click here to learn more and to access the application.
Join CCTC!
Interested in getting involved with the Central Coast Tourism Council? CCTC works in partnership with Visit California, supported by resources, marketing programs, and funds through its Tourism Marketing Grant program. The work of CCTC supports destinations and tourism businesses located with seven counties: Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, and San Benito. To nominate yourself or someone else for CCTC’s board of directors before the April 8th deadline, click here for details and a nomination form!
Did you know……
that California is home to 340 miles of coastline and the tallest, largest, and among the oldest trees in the world? Add to that deserts, lakes, rivers, and beaches across 279 parks statewide and you’ll find a treasure trove of places to experience. In fact, there are more than 5,200 miles of trails, 15,000 campsites, prehistoric and historic archeological sites, ghost towns, historic homes, and monuments — all waiting to be explored.