Tourism trade in San Mateo County nonetheless strained | Native Information

The tourism industry, which is one of the largest contributors to the San Mateo county’s economy, is faced with dire forecasts for 2021, similar to the lows seen last April, unless government leaders can be persuaded to allow face-to-face business meetings.

“Every week we wait, every month we wait puts us in a more precarious position,” said John Hutar, CEO of the San Mateo County’s Silicon Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau, during a board meeting Tuesday.

Hutar presented a COVID-19 impact update to the board, outlining how the pandemic has destroyed profits on business and leisure travel. Prior to COVID, the tourism sector generated approximately $ 502 million in tax revenue annually and provided more than 45,000 jobs.

A year after dealing with the pandemic, the sector lost 25,000 jobs. Describing the number as startling, Hutar noted that the displaced, many of whom depend on family members, have also lost their benefits.

The hotel industry alone saw a 76% decline, resulting in a loss of approximately $ 365 million in temporary occupancy tax. There was a similar “double punch” in every area of ​​the county – 50% less occupancy and daily rates, Hutar said.

Realizing that the trend was likely to continue without interference, he urged regulators to share support for adding business meetings within the state’s color-coded reopening system.

“Our fear is that we could go in that direction and possibly hit this rock bottom, and we definitely hope we don’t break it,” said Hutar. “If some action is not taken, this situation is pretty bad.”

Nearly 140 agencies from across the state have come together to require that business meetings between 25 and 250 people be treated similarly to the way the state treats cinemas. In the current structure, the county is on the orange level, so cinemas with a 50% capacity of 200 people can be opened, whichever is the lower.

California is the only state that doesn’t allow face-to-face business meetings or include meetings in its recovery plan, Hutar said. In the absence of a clear schedule of when meetings can start again, Hutar said customers interested in meetings in the county are canceling rebooked events to host in other more open states.

“Without the meetings to start, we are very concerned about future projections,” said Hutar, suggesting that a recovery in the tourism sector could be postponed beyond original 2024 expectations.

Echoing Hutar, district chief Mike Callagy said the state had not come up with a plan for the industry, adding that the district’s lobbyists had been directed to deal with state officials on the matter.

However, the venues are ready to host events. Big branded establishments have also partnered with big cleaning products companies to develop secure meeting minutes. Smaller hotels and event venues also have access to training materials created by the California Hotel and Lodging Association.

The environment is also different than it was in June 2020, he said, adding that the public now has a better understanding of safety guidelines and the state is making progress on introducing vaccines.

People are also more willing to gather together, Hutar said, although business and international travel are less likely to recover in the near future. He believes that vacation travel is an area that will grow again as Californians become more interested in taking short breaks.

“There is a lot of catching up to do. The people were in their houses and want to get out, ”said Hutar.

On a recommendation from Supervisor Warren Slocum, the Board decided to set up an informal subcommittee of Supervisors Dave Pine and Don Horsley to hold discussions with the government about convening business meetings.

Pine noted that his district is home to the San Francisco International Airport and most hotels than any other district. Horsley’s District spans much of the county’s coastline, a heavily trafficked area.

Slocum also suggested that the county look into training opportunities for tourism workers who have lost their jobs.

“Personally, I don’t understand, as I’m sure, why California doesn’t have a plan,” Slocum said. “But to be honest, that’s unacceptable.”