WHY: The nightly images of the devastation broadcasted around the world have given the impression that damage to wineries and vineyards was widespread. It was not.
- Of the nearly 500 wineries in the Napa Valley, only 7 wineries were severely damaged or lost.
- Damage to vineyards was very minimal, as vineyards make effective fire breaks and 90% of crop was picked prior to the fires.
- The fires burned predominantly in the forested hills and the well-known wineries situated between Hwy 29 and Silverado were nearly untouched by fire.
The impression left by these graphic images have caused many to cancel plans on visiting Wine Country. The perception of devastation in the Napa Valley is greater than reality.
In the wake of the Fire Disaster:
- Innkeepers reporting that most reservations in the next month have been cancelled
- Tour Operators reporting mass cancellations
- Wineries and restaurants are seeing a fraction of the number of visitors that are usually here during the harvest season.
- No traffic.The traffic that many locals complain about is nonexistent. Roads are empty.
- Many of the victims of the disaster are experiencing a double disaster for lack of work and or layoffs due to lack of business
NEED TO GET THE WORD OUT: We need VISITORS more than ever to support the rebuilding our community and by putting everyone back to work by visiting our wineries, drinking our wines, staying in our hotels and eating in our restaurants. Our economy is based on wine tourism.
FACTS:
- 3.5 million visitors annually to the Napa Valley
- Visitor spending annually in Napa Valley – $1.9 billion
- Jobs supported by the Napa Valley Visitor industry – 13,437
- The tourism industry generated over $47 million in TOT (transient occupancy tax) revenue to fund essential services and programs throughout Napa County
HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP:
- Tell your audience that the Napa Valley is OPEN FOR BUSINESS.
- Tourism is the lifeblood of our community.The Road to Recovery is only possible by visitors returning to Wine Country
- Virtually every winery, restaurant, hotel, B&B, tour operator and transportation company is OPEN FOR BUSINESS.
- This needs to be reinforced now and over the next weeks and months
For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Ali Paterson: (707) 286-7211, ali@vsattui.com
Maralyn D. Hill, M.Ed., The Epicurean Explorer
Executive Editor, LuxeBeatMag.com
Editor-in-Chief, Where and What in the World
Freelance Lifestyle Journalist
Member: International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA)
Member: Society of American Travel Writers (SATW)
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