After more than a year of economic blows from the coronavirus pandemic, it looks like the San Diego tourism industry may finally be on the way to recovery.
Hotels and businesses in San Diego are reporting more guests as more COVID-19 vaccines are distributed and restrictions are eased across the county and state.
“There’s been more going on since the restrictions were lifted,” said Fernando Espinoza, the night manager at the Ocean Beach Hotel.
Comparing OB to a ghost town at the height of the pandemic, Espinoza said some rooms at the Ocean Beach Hotel are now being booked well in advance.
“We booked it about 3 months ago,” said William Herrera, who was visiting from the Coachella Valley. “We enjoy the view, enjoy the hotel and right here, in this area, everything is within walking distance.”
Espinoza said they sold out on weekends but are still having issues with sales on weekdays compared to sales on weekdays before the pandemic.
And it’s the same trend across the county.
According to the San Diego Tourism AuthorityHotels in some parts of the district have 82 to 92 percent occupancy on weekends.
Recently, hotel sales hit a post-pandemic record for the number of hotel room nights sold. About 300,000 nights were sold for the week of March 28 through April 3, compared to about 316,000 just prior to the nationwide lockdown.
“It brings a lot of hope that things will go back to normal,” said Espinoza. Espinoza said staff and guests continue to follow protocols to ensure the safety of those who work and stay at the hotel.
With San Diego in the orange category under California’s color-coded plan to safely reopen its economy, hotels are open with changes. Fitness centers in hotels can be used to 25%. Indoor pools have also been given the green light.
Visitors and hotel employees must follow COVID-19 state safety guidelines, which include the use of face masks and social distancing. To catch up on the COVID-related security guidelines for hotels in our region, Click here.
