National & San Francisco Hospitality & Business Leaders Partner To Highlight Importance Of Reigniting Travel To City During National Travel And Tourism Week
SAN FRANCISCO – To mark National Travel and Tourism Week, on Thursday, May 5, 2022 at 1:00pm PST the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA)will join localhospitality and business industry leaders including the Hotel Council of San Francisco, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce and San Francisco Travel Association among others, to host a panel to discuss the importance of reigniting travel and the state of hospitality and tourism in San Francisco.
A new report shows that while leisure travel is expected to return to pre-pandemic levels this year, hotel business travel revenue continues to lag behind and is projected to be down 23%, or $20 billion, from pre-pandemic levels in 2022. Hotels in San Francisco are on pace to see the sharpest decline in business travel revenue of all major U.S. cities, a drop of nearly 70% or nearly $1.7 billion in revenue.
The panel will discuss recent data and opinion research providing optimism for reigniting travel to the San Francisco area as well as new travel trends and opportunities to attract more travelers to the area.
Panelists will be available for interviews with media immediately following the event.
NATIONAL & SAN FRANCISCO HOSPITALITY & BUSINESS LEADERS PUSH TO REIGNITE TRAVEL AND TOURISM FOR CITY AND REGION
Groups Unite to Highlight Importance of Jumpstarting Travel to City and Region
During National Travel and Tourism Week
SAN FRANCISCO (MAY 5, 2022) – To mark National Travel and Tourism Week, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) joined local hospitality and business industry leaders including the Hotel Council of San Francisco, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce and San Francisco Travel Association among others, for a panel discussion about the importance of reigniting travel and tourism in San Francisco.
San Francisco’s tourism industry took a major hit during the pandemic especially business travel. A new report shows hotels in San Francisco lost $1.7 billion in revenue or 70% drop – worst among all major U.S. cities. However, hospitality leaders are cautiously optimistic on
AHLA’s President and CEO Chip Rogers said the road to recovery for the hotel will be uneven with leisure travel returning first and business travel taking longer to recover, but remained optimistic about the future of the industry. He pointed to a recent national survey showing 77% of business travelers say that it is more important than ever to bring back business travel. The same survey showed nearly two-thirds of business travelers said increased reliance on virtual work during the pandemic negatively impacting both productivity (64%) and workplace culture (65%).
“The COVID-19 pandemic has left an indelible mark on travel, but we are optimistic about the future of travel and now is the right time for cities like San Francisco to be promoting the return of travel especially meetings and events. Travel has always been a major economic engine in states like California. Hotels stand ready to continue this role as we emerge from the pandemic.” Chip Rogers, president and CEO of AHLA.
Other participants including SF hospitality and business leaders said they are also optimistic in reigniting travel in San Francisco.
“While leisure travel has been steadily returning across the city and nation, the outlook for business travel across the region has been bleak, said Kevin Carroll, president and CEO of the Hotel Council of San Francisco. “The return of in-person meetings and business travel will be vital to the industry’s full recovery and today’s panel discussion helped bring this issue to the forefront.”
“Hotels are an economic engine here in San Francisco,” said Rodney Fong, president and CEO of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. “From retail to restaurants, businesses across the city benefit when hotels welcome travelers. Hotels and the travel industry provide a lift to all businesses.”
“As we approach the summer months, San Francisco is preparing to see a boom in leisure travel, said Cassandra Costello, executive vice president of Public Policy and Executive Programs at San Francisco Travel Association. “While we are not quite at pre-pandemic levels, the return of tourists will be welcomed across the leisure and hospitality industry.”
“California’s economy has faced significant hurdles in the wake of the pandemic, the hospitality industry included,” said Lynn Mohrfeld, president and CEO of the California Hotel & Lodging Association. “Hotels employ over 285,000 Californians and support even more jobs across the broader hospitality industry. The industry’s recovery is essential to California’s economic outlook moving forward.”
“COVID-19 dealt a devastating blow to the hotel industry and after two years of pandemic restrictions, we’re ready to welcome back travelers to California,” said Jon Kimball, Marriott regional general manager of the Westin St. Francis. “I’m delighted to work alongside leaders in the hospitality industry who understand the need to reignite tourism in San Francisco so more travelers can experience the city.”
“Hotels stand ready to provide travelers with exceptional experiences and will continue to prioritize safety and cleanliness for guests and employees alike, said Terry Lewis, general manager of Hilton San Francisco Union Square Hotel. “Hotels look forward to working with the San Francisco community to reignite travel.”
The panel discussion was the final event in a series of Reigniting Travel events this week hosted by AHLA across the state of California. AHLA also announced this week the relaunch of the Hospitality is Working campaign. The campaign highlights the hotel industry’s strong commitment to investing in its workforce, protecting employees and guests, and supporting local communities across the country as more Americans begin to travel.
Mascots, Local VIPs and Do-Gooders to Rappel from the Hilton San Francisco Union Square’s 46th Story to Raise Scholarship Funds for Local Students
**Photo, Video, and Interview Opportunities Available**
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – All day Thursday, May 5th, local leaders, celebrities, and adventure enthusiasts will rappel from the largest hotel on the West Coast – the Hilton San Francisco Union Square – to raise scholarship funds that will support youth and veterans’ participation in San Francisco-based Outward Bound California’s (OBCA) programs at the 7th Annual City Skyline Challenge.
After a two year hiatus, we are excited to get back together for this wild event and celebrate San Francisco, community and the needs of our youth and veterans. The event features a full day of Bay Area civic leaders, local celebrities, entrepreneurs, students, educators, and individuals experiencing their own milestone moments of personal growth as they descend from the roof of the Hilton San Francisco Union Square’s 46th story tower outside the Cityscape Bar and LoungeOnlookers and an online audience of thousands will be able to join in the adventure while keeping their feet on the ground streaming the event live or watching from a neighboring roof deck. As downtown San Francisco reopens, companies bring employees back and tourism revives we are thrilled to be a part of the wave!
All local donations on Thursday May 5th will be entered into a drawing for a 4pm rappel spot – give to enter HERE: www.obca.org/donate
Outward Bound California’s mission is to change lives through challenge and discovery. They serve over 3,000 students a year on 10,000 days of programming across California. Two in three OBCA students receive scholarship support and this event raises a large portion of the funds given out each year. So needed today, these experiential education programs, in both wilderness and urban settings, focus on belonging, reflection, physical engagement and courage.
Through this event OBCA will raise over $300,000 to support scholarships! Help us get there by rappelling, fundraising, volunteering, promoting or donating – www.cityskylinechallenge.org
2022 VIP Rappellers include: rappel times are approximate
10am
Sourdough Sam, mascot for the San Francisco 49ers
Sister Golda Lox, activist and member of Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence + 3 other Sisters!
11am
Kerith Burke, NBC Bay Area Sports + Golden State Warriors Reporter
Khafre Jay, Executive Director of local non-profit Hip Hop for Change + students
12pm
Esther Swen, Bay Area Buzz
1pm
Curt Yagi, Executive Director of ROCK (real options for city kids) + students
2pm
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, cast member Chance Marshaun Hill
4pm
Liz Wamai, VP at Meta
Nettie Pardue, OBCA Executive Director
OBCA youth and veteran course participants
To be included on our confirmed press list or to inquire about rappelling, please email Emma Rapp erapp@obca.org.
About Outward Bound California and the City Skyline Challenge Outward Bound California’s City Skyline Challenge raises essential scholarship funds for local students from under-resourced communities to experience Outward Bound California’s life-changing leadership education programs. This unique event empowers participants to help change the lives of students by challenging themselves, discovering firsthand what Outward Bound students discover everyday on-course — that they are capable of achieving more than they thought possible.
Outward Bound California (OBCA) is part of a national network of experiential and outdoor education programs, with a 50 year history in the US, serving over 40,000 students annually. OBCA uses unique experiences in natural settings to create social-emotional learning opportunities for our students to tap into their inherent potential as compassionate leaders and active participants in their communities.
We work with students on a range of programs, from 1-day experiences on our San Francisco Challenge Course to multi-day rock climbing, backpacking and mountaineering courses ranging from 7 to 65 days long. We work with students aged 12+, including adults, educators and veterans. OBCA is deeply committed to opening up access for students and schools that have traditionally been excluded from outdoor spaces and programs and we do this through over 40 effective community partnerships. As a non-profit, more than 2/3 of our students receive partial or full scholarships to go on a course with us in the High Sierra, Southern California and in the Bay Area.
More than 20,000 students have taken part in Outward Bound California programs in partnership with public schools and student-serving nonprofits, including: San Francisco International High School, Abraham Lincoln High School, Visitacion Valley Middle School; Leadership Public Schools, Urban Promise Academy and Bret Harte Middle School; Richmond’s Yes Nature to Neighborhoods, Friends of the Urban Forest, Jewish Big Brothers and Sisters of LA, Summer Search, Larkin Street Youth Services, and dozens upon dozens of others.
About Hilton San Francisco Union Square Hilton San Francisco Union Square is uniquely positioned in the heart of San Francisco. Bordering neighborhoods are culturally unique-to-San Francisco destinations which feature the city’s most popular attractions such as theaters, shopping, restaurants, cable cars, jazz clubs, museums, and speakeasies.
While the city outside of the hotel’s front door has a great buzz, the interior of the property is also alive with the same high-energy pulse that brings San Francisco to life for visitors from all over the world. From the time of arrival, guests feel the excitement of what native San Franciscans call, reverently, “The City.” Home to convention goers, families, tourists and the travel trade, the Hilton campus also features a variety of dining options, including the rooftop 46th floor Cityscape lounge, Herb N’ Kitchen grab-and-go market, a bustling Lobby Bar, onsite parking, a heated outdoor pool and jacuzzi as well as the neighboring Parc 55 Hilton for a total of almost 3,000 guest rooms in a two-block complex.
Media Contact: David Perry & Associates, Inc / David Perry (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com
GORDON GETTY ANNOUNCES THE FORMATION OFTHE ANN AND GORDON GETTY FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS
3 May 2022 — San Francisco, CA: Gordon Getty today announces the establishment of the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation for the Arts. The Foundation is funded with the Getty Art Collection, including the notable fine art and decorative furnishings of the Gettys’ San Francisco residence. The Foundation intends to sell the Ann and Gordon Getty Art Collection, handled by Christie’s New York, in October 2022, and will distribute the proceeds to selected charitable organizations promptly after the sale.
“Ann and Gordon Getty took several years to design a plan to sell the Getty Art Collection during their lifetimes,” said a statement released by the Foundation offices. “They believed that the Collection is a fitting metaphor for the importance of creativity and academic study. Throughout Ann’s lifetime, she manifested this understanding brilliantly. Gordon has never wavered in his belief that the arts and sciences, seeded through education, produce fertile ground. The Gettys’ plan was structured to implement their joint philanthropic commitment to creativity and learning and their recognition that art, in all its forms, is vital to ensuring a community’s prosperity.”
“Tragically and unexpectedly, Ann Getty passed away September 14, 2020,” the statement continues. “To fulfill their plan, Gordon Getty has taken the steps necessary to establish and fund the Foundation and to proceed with the sale.”
“I am committed to ensure that this dream will be fulfilled,” said Gordon Getty in a statement. “The sale will honor Ann’s remarkable eye for design and storytelling through her exquisite taste, intellect, and curiosity. The Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation for the Arts will leave a legacy for future generations.”
On Tuesday, I turn 74! Not an especially amazing age (especially since a friend here in town is 107 and she is still going strong), but a number for me to perhaps stop, pause, take time for appreciation. From that little boy, of a most loving & nurturing & supportive family, and who played with toy boats on his grandmother’s kitchen table (and even who placed white cotton in the little smokestacks to suggest steam & therefore activity) all those decades ago, it all just sort of began.
And watching the Hudson River & all those ships back in the golden 1950s … with Grandmother Miller & my brother George
And my very first visit to a ship — my other grandparents were sailing on the Queen of Bermuda & it was actually my birthday, May 3rd 1953, and I turned five
Now, having traveled on hundreds of ships to hundreds, maybe thousands of places (over 125 countries to date and itineraries from the Arctic to the Amazon), then writing books (over 115 of them), belonging to maritime groups & societies, researching & collecting, and altogether meeting so many people, often very interesting people & some becoming lifelong friends. So yes, a pause this week especially: Seated in a favorite chair at home, a cup of coffee & maybe a book at hand and a big smile. Yes, I made it this far — and maybe, well, still more, maybe even lots more, to come. And a heartfelt thank you to you and for all of you — friends, shipmates, helpers, those friendly faces along the promenade decks. PS: Miss Marnell was my Hoboken High School English teacher. She was strict, feared, a bit of a terror in a simple black dress, but she loved travel and especially travel by ship. She knew of my interest and, back in July 1964, during summer vacation from school, she sent me a postcard from the SS Orsova and from faraway Fiji. A post card especially to “me” from the formidable Miss Marnell — well, that ignited something. I wanted to be a teacher & that traveler just like her! And just about the same time, I wrote a letter to the great maritime historian & author Frank Braynard and told him I too liked ships and could I come to work with him one day. His reply was wonderfully encouraging — plus I had a “real” reply (in my hands) from the very busy, legendary Mr Braynard. Yes, I had all his books in my then small library. A few years later (1968), I actually met him — and we even had lunch together — and then, hark, I began working with him (in 1977) and soon thereafter we even wrote books together, as co-authors. So yes, I have been so, so lucky! Again, thank you to all …
City Skyline Challenge 2022
