Local businesses offer special packages
Convention and Visitors Bureau finds creative way to tap into leisure travel market
MONTEREY >> With people adapting to the new normal brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau and its partners have developed options for quick getaways to help people relax or rejuvenate.
The Convention and Visitors Bureau is making what is the best season of the year weatherwise on the Central Coast — fall — the time to invite travelers to give themselves a “permission slip,” take a field trip and break away from everyday routines to partake in what Monterey County has to offer.
“People are feeling cooped up in general, and trends show they are eager to get out and take their work and school work with them. We are inviting them to write their own permission slip to do just that here in Monterey County,” said Rob O’Keefe, president and CEO of the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Our hotels have been incredibly innovative with hotel packages that allow for extended stays and encourage guests to live and learn. Our destination is perfect for this.”
Collaborating with its partners, the Convention and Visitors Bureau has leveraged the flexibility of working and schooling remotely to curate options that make quick or extended getaways to the Monterey Bay area and includes something for everyone from hands- on educational activities and virtual experiences to creative packaging.
“Between Memorial Day to Labor Day, Monterey County has lost $713 million in visitor spending year over year,” said O’Keefe. “Summer is prime time for us, and without group business, we wanted to come up with a creative way to tap into our leisure travelers.”
It has been a devastating year so far on tourism in Monterey County because of the coronavirus. Travel spending in the county was $3.24 billion in 2019, up 3.3% from 2018. But 2020 will surely show a steep decline. The county’s tourism industry is doing what it can to provide safe and enjoyable travel opportunities while adhering to COVID-19 limitations and restrictions.
The Convention and Visitors Bureau suggests whale watching tours or kayaking on Monterey Bay as ways to view sea life up close, or learning about the past by taking a walking tour of historic downtown Monterey.
Get outside and exercise by hiking on trails through Pinnacles National Park, Fort Ord National Monument and Garland Regional Park, or take a bike ride along the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail.
There are many “stay and play” promotions from some Monterey County lodging properties including the Monterey Plaza Hotel’s Plaza Explorers Program offering a discovery kit for kids at
check-in equipped with an educational tide pool bingo card, binoculars and exploration gear. The little ones can even earn prizes for completing activities during their stay.
Carmel Valley Ranch is offering extended stays at its 500-acre resort. Monthlong rentals include oneand two-bedroom suites with kitchenettes, weekly t wo - hour enr ichment classes on natural science topics like apiary, botany, geology and astronomy, reserved poolside cabanas and more.
Quail Lodge and Golf Club has a change of scenery package for remote workers that includes guestrooms with a private patio, deck or balcony, upgraded Wi-Fi, breakfast and printing credits, inroom work supplies, and more.
The Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau also points out that there are virtual learning tools and resources for those not able to travel to Monterey County this fall including the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s accessibility from home for things such as online courses, curriculum and activity ideas for remote schooling, and crafts and printables.
People can also take a virtual tour of the National Steinbeck Center, or view the museum’s new YouTube channel featuring videos by archivist Lisa Josephs, or read books by Salinas’ native son John Steinbeck, some of which are set in Monterey County.
The Monterey Museum of Art has virtual free family fun days for budding artists. A Halloweenthemed art day is scheduled for Oct. 24 at 1 p.m. where participants can make mosaic monstrosities, salt dough pumpkins and join a live art lesson featuring mixed media haunted houses.
Visit www.SeeMonterey. com for more information.