Traveler Sentiment Update: September 21, 2021
"Hotel Industry Trends and Analytics"
Join moderators Dave Bratton and Myha Gallagher as they share some recent questions answered from the Coronavirus Travel Sentiment Index Report. This week’s event featured a presentation by Chelsea McCready, Senior Director of Hospitality Market Analytics for CoStar Group on current hotel industry trends and analytics. Watch as she shares a brief overview of national hotel performance, as well as the correlation between American travel sentiment and hotel occupancy.
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On the ballot for City of Bellingham voters this fall are four initiatives that could greatly impact our tourism and hospitality community.
The Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism Board of Directors has voted to officially oppose No. 4.
These initiatives are a part of the election that will take place on Nov. 2, 2021, with ballots mailed Oct. 13. Accessible voting units also will be made available Oct. 13. These measures will be voted on by people who live in the City of Bellingham.
Please take time to educate yourself on all four of these initatives before the election, and read our statement on initiative 4, as well as one from the Washington Hospitality Association.
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Local Updates and Opportunities
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Resources from our Educational Series - Going for Zero Waste
Our local partner, Sustainable Connections, taught us how to reduce operational waste and food waste and reduce waste stream contamination. They also explained the ins and outs of their Food Recovery Program so you can donate surplus food, gain promotion, qualify for tax incentives, and reduce your trash bill.
Other resources from your Zero Waste Team:
Waste Assessments Waste assessments make reducing your business waste simple. At no cost, they come to your business, learn the ins and outs of your unique needs, and share suggestions.
Plastics Ordinance The City of Bellingham Plastics Ordinance goes into effect August 1, 2022. Get ahead of the change with resources and a consultation from Sustainable Connections. Review our product purchasing guide and contact Abbie to set up a consultation.
Food Recovery Program Put an end to wasted food by joining the Food Recovery Program! They pick up surplus food from commercial establishments and redistribute the food to community members experiencing hunger. Contact Brandi with your questions or sign up to donate today.
Event Support Event- and festival-goers increasingly expect events to be managed in a sustainable manner, and they are here to help with planning tools and on-site support! contact Abbie
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With a high rate of cases of COVID-19 in our community, you’re more likely to have employees who are sick or exposed to COVID-19. The Whatcom County Health Department’s COVID Response Team can work with your business or organization so you know what to do.
Your first step? Reach out to talk with a WCHD COVID Response Team member at COVIDresponse@co.whatcom.wa.us.
We’ll do our best to answer your questions and explain the steps you should take. But sometimes you need to act quickly to answer questions or support your staff. That’s why we’ve created an Employer COVID-19 Toolkit. In it you’ll find:
- A checklist of what to do when COVID-19 shows up in your workplace. Use this even if it’s just one employee or volunteer who has COVID-19.
- A link to the Washington State Department of Health’s comprehensive COVID-19 guidance for non-health care businesses and organizations.
- Handouts to share with your employees about what they should do and when they can return to work.
Thank you for doing your part to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to keep your employees, clients, and customers safe!
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New funding available from WA Department of Commerce!
The Working Washington Grants: Border Business Relief Program will focus on customer-facing businesses that have experienced hardship specifically as a result of the COVID-19 border restrictions. Businesses must have reported annual revenues of $5 million or less in 2019 to the Department of Revenue and be located in Clallam, Jefferson, San Juan, Island, Skagit, Whatcom, Okanogan, Ferry, Stevens or Pend Oreille counties.
Information and a preview of the application is available now at commercegrants.com. The application portal will be open Oct. 4 - 18. Customer support will be available in English and Spanish beginning Sept. 29.
Local, technical support is available through Gina Stark at the Port of Bellingham. Email her today for help.
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Share Your Story!
The Whatcom County Health Department communications team is gathering and sharing stories from local people who experienced COVID hoping to educated others who have yet to get vaccinated. So far, they have been soliciting COVID stories from Whatcom County residents through Facebook and through referrals from health care providers. They've worked with media partners like Whatcom Talk and the Herald to pitch feature stories of people who are willing to share publicly.
If you know personally of people who would like to share their story, or if you would like to spread the word about this opportunity, please share this email address: HealthStories@co.whatcom.wa.us.
Thank you for helping to spread the word!
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Going Out in Bellingham?
Vaccination Required at these Locations
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Current Campaigns and Outreach
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Washington State's most famous European traveler, Rick Steves, put his jet-setting ways on hold for the summer and came to Whatcom County. In part two of this three-episode segment, Rick Steves explores Whatcom County seaside including Blaine, Washington, and Peace Arch State Park.
Travel Tip: September 2021 marks the Centennial of Peace Arch State Park, check it out with Rick Steves in the latest episode!
Feel free to share the :30 video clip! We have been sharing Rick Steves' content with text such as "Famous for his world travels, Washington local Rick Steves recently wandered up to Whatcom County! Check out his second episode "Extremely Northwest" and discover the wonder of Whatcom County 🌊"
Tag us @BellinghamExperience and #BellinghamExperience so we can help share your post too! 🚗
Follow Bellingham Experience on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
for daily updates and content to share!
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Where will Rick Steves go next!?
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Check out our Facebook to vote for your favorite photo in our latest Visit Bellingham Whatcom County Photo Contest! You have until Thursday, October 30th to like/comment/share your favorite Whatcom County vacaction photo.
 1st Place Wins - Gift Card to Appel Farms Cheese Shop
 2nd Place Wins - Gift Card to Woods Coffee
 3rd Place Wins - Tickets to the Spark Museum of Electricity
Let your guests know they can share their trip too! Share your favorite photo contest submission and let your followers know they can enter too: "Be sure to vote for your favorite Whatcom County shot in Bellingham Experience's photo contest! Voting wraps up at the end of this month 📸"
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