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Covid Advisories & Travel Alerts

Covid Advisories & Travel Alerts

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WELCOME TO THE COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Brought to you by the Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau

UPDATED MASK MANDATES

Beginning Wednesday, February 16, vaccinated individuals will no longer be required to wear masks indoors.
 
  • Universal masking shall remain required in only specified settings (See full list in link below.)
  • Only unvaccinated persons are required to wear a mask in indoor public settings  
  • It is recommended  that fully vaccinated individuals continue indoor masking when the risk may be high (i.e. crowded indoor environments or settings where everyone is not fully vaccinated)
 
Please respect individual business requirements and inquire directly for information. Help us keep Monterey County beautiful by properly disposing of all trash including face coverings!
 
  • If you travel in the United States, you do not need to get tested before or after travel or self-quarantine after travel
  • You need to pay close attention to the situation at your international destination before traveling outside the United States
  • You do NOT need to get tested before leaving the United States unless your destination requires it
  • You still need to show a negative test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding an international flight to the United States
  • You should still get tested 3-5 days after international travel
  • You do NOT need to self-quarantine after arriving in the United States

MEMBER ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Would you like to get to know us a little better?  We would sure love getting to know so we can better promote you! We have reimagined our Meet-a-Member and Member Visit programs and would be thrilled to have you be a part of them.

Our Meet-a-Member has now gone virtual (via Zoom). Virtual Meet-a-Member gives you the opportunity to meet the greater team, and gives us the opportunity to learn more about your business. Virtual Meet-a-Members are held on the second Thursday of each month. We welcome up to three members to be guests on the virtual stage. Each guest would have about 10 minutes to present on behalf of their business, followed by Q&A with our team.

Member Visits are in-person visits where the MCCVB comes to you for a more intimate experience. This allows our team members who work directly with meeting/event planners, media, and visitors a first-hand opportunity to experience your product and better promote you. Member visits are scheduled for the second Friday of each month. Each visit is about 30 – 45 minutes between the hours of 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.

If you are interested in either or both opportunities, please contact us at your earliest convenience so we may secure your slot. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have.

Thank you to our members who participated in our recent engagement opportunities. We learned a lot about the true farm-to-table and sea-to-table experience. We discovered new local artists and historical spots. We learned about some really great catering and group activity options and visited creative event venues - some with endless ocean views!  Above all, we learned about how some of our partners make it a point to give back to the community.  

If you are interested in participating in any of the above opportunities, please email: jkocher@seemonterey.com.

VIRTUAL VISITOR CENTER

We are excited to announce the launch of our new Virtual Visitor Center (VVC). This platform provides a new way for visitors to explore what the County has to offer, before and during their trips. The VVC can be accessed on desktop, mobile or through our new branded app, and includes integration with our Live Chat so users can connect directly with MCCVB staff.
 
Users will now have access to information at their fingertips, including hotels, restaurants, activities, shopping, and more. It allows us to showcase the best our destination has to offer – that’s you! – while giving visitors direct access to your business information and website. Residents and visitors alike can access the tool on SeeMonterey.com or by downloading the app to your cell phones today.

MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES AND PROGRAMS

As we look toward the summer season, we currently have a number of marketing programs available for you to participate in. Please contact Marketing@SeeMonterey.com with your interest or any questions.

Search Engine Optimization (Open To All)

Registration is now open for a new search engine marketing (SEM) co-op aimed at leisure travelers. The program is perfect for businesses with smaller marketing budgets and limited resources to manage their own SEM campaigns. MCCVB will fully manage the program on behalf of our participants, as well as covering a portion of the cost.

Registration closes on February 25 and the program will launch April 1. More information is available here, and we will be hosting an info session on February 16 at 9:30 a.m. Please RSVP here if you are interested in participating.

California Digital Optimization (Open To All)

In partnership with the Central Coast Tourism Council and Visit California, we are conducting a Digital Optimization program aimed at improving the quality of tourism content on Google, Yelp and TripAdvisor. Participation is free and the process will include an audit of businesses’ current digital footprint followed by a two-part educational webinar series to help train businesses to update and maintain these digital trip planning and search platforms.

Kind Traveler Hotel Partnership (Open To Hotels Only)

MCCVB is embarking on a Destination Sponsorship with the Kind Traveler, the first Give + Get hotel booking and sustainable travel media platform, focused on connecting travelers to sustainable destinations and hotels. This is a key program for MCCVB, continuing to build on our industry-leading Sustainable Moments platform.  This opportunity is well suited for our hotel partners with specific sustainability initiatives. In addition to further promoting eco-friendly features, hotels can select a local non-profit organization for guests to donate to as part of their booking (at no cost to the hotel), putting dollars directly back into our community. 

THE HOSPITALITY COMMUNITY NEEDS YOU!

Looking for a rewarding career in hospitality where you can become part of the cloth that makes Monterey County a great place to live and visit?  Take a look at some of these openings available below:
 
 
The Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa is a luxury property within the Woodside Hotel Group collection.  This 290 room property has four penthouse suites, over 17,000 square feet of meeting space, expansive exterior space known as the Plaza, the Promenade and the Terrace, and an award-winning food and beverage program. Banquets, Schooners Coastal Kitchen and Bar, Helmsman Lounge, Tidal Coffee, and Room Service provide guests, groups, and local visitors numerous dining options.  Vista Blue Spa offers a wide array of services in an outstanding location on the penthouse suite level and hosts the Fitness Center in addition to retail and sundries.  The Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa is the only Forbes 4-Star property in Monterey, which it has earned annually since 2009, and the only property ranked No. 1 for both business and leisure by Trip Advisor in Monterey. The Monterey Plaza Hotel is seeking the following: 
 
Account Executive
The Account Executive is responsible to create, execute, and manage a business plan to achieve sales goals and Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa profitability. Thusly, they are responsible for a designated business market segment. They conduct sales calls with potential new clients within their assigned market;  customarily and regularly spending 50% of their time conducting face to face proactive sales efforts in the field to obtain contracts for use of the property’s rooms, facilities and services.  The Account Executive represents the hotel in a manner that enhances the reputation of the hotel within their market segment, the local community, and within the industry. 
 
 
Situated in the world-renowned beauty of the Big Sur coastline, Nepenthe was founded in 1949, the Phoenix gift shop was opened in 1964 and the Café Kevah was opened in 1992, which are still operated by the children and grandchildren of the founders, who are carrying on the traditions of family hospitality - a hallmark of the business. The Nepenthe Restaurant, Café Kevah and Phoenix gift shop are all located on the same property 30 miles south of Carmel overlooking the Pacific Ocean. sell goods from all over the world, including local artists, authors, and makers. We have an incredible book selection, clothing, stationary, an amazing collection of jewelry and much more!
 
The Phoenix Shop at Nepenthe is hiring for part time and full time Sales Associate positions. They are looking for outgoing and friendly candidates to join our extraordinary team and provide wonderful customer service to our guests from all over the world.  The Phoenix Shop offers an excellent benefits package including a profit sharing/401(k) plan; medical insurance for full time employees; shift meals; paid sick leave and food, beverage, and merchandise discounts.
 
How to apply: Please visit the The Phoenix Gift Shop in person.
48510 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
831-667-2347

 

As a native to Monterey County and third generation hospitality worker, I am proud to be in an industry that plays such a great role in the community. 
 
The vision of the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau is to inspire the world to experience our extraordinary destination responsibly, and in a way that maximizes the benefits of tourism to our vast array of communities. 
 
Please feel free to contact me with any industry related questions or concerns: jkocher@seemonterey.com. 
 
We appreciate your partnership and support.  We couldn't do what we do without you. 
 
Stay well and take good care.
 
-Jeniffer

 

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©  Monterey County
Convention & Visitors Bureau

Funded in cooperation with the Monterey County Board of Supervisors and the communities of Big Sur, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel Valley, Marina, Monterey, Moss Landing, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Salinas, Salinas Valley, Sand City and Seaside.

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