In Conjunction With National Travel & Tourism Week, Santa Monica Travel & Tourism Launches Free Staycation Program To Honor Essential Workers In Santa Monica
Eighteen Santa Monica Hotels Join Together To Honor Local Essential
Workers For Much Needed Staycations To Use With Accrued Time Off
SANTA MONICA, Calif., (May 7, 2021) – In 2020 our community faced some of the biggest challenges in our city’s history. Without hesitation, our healthcare workers at UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center and Providence Saint John’s Health Center and the brave individuals of our Santa Monica police and fire departments were first to put themselves at risk to keep the public healthy and safe, many foregoing paid time off or spending time with family. Our Santa Monica hotel community in partnership with the Santa MoniCARES foundation is showing our deep appreciation for their selfless efforts by providing mini staycations at one of 18 Santa Monica hotels to these heroes of Santa Monica.
Joining the National Travel & Tourism Week initiative by U.S. Travel Association (USTA), Santa Monica Travel & Tourism (SMTT) and the City’s hospitality partners extend their gratitude to the essential workers who remain on the frontlines of this crisis. Their sacrifices to help the community stay as healthy as possible in a global pandemic should not go unrecognized.
“As we mark over a year of this pandemic, we are especially thankful for our brave local workers who have made a real difference during this difficult time. Words can’t describe the appreciation we have for those who have taken care of our community through a myriad of challenges in 2020 and 2021,” said Misti Kerns, President/CEO of Santa Monica Travel & Tourism. “We’ve seen the best of these courageous individuals in the face of unpredictable challenges, especially throughout the COVID-19 crisis.”
USTA reports that American workers left an average of 33% of their paid time off on the table in 2020. Moving into this year, staycations for essential workers are a much needed way to use accrued time off for nearly 8 in 10 or 77% of American workers who report that they are extremely or very happy while on vacation. Additionally, 69% say a travel priority in 2021 is to find a change of scenery and 61% say spending more time with family and friends is key; Santa MoniCARES hopes this will encourage all to take a break and reconnect.
To express their gratitude for Santa Monica’s essential workers, 18 hotels have donated 444 complimentary staycation room nights to Santa MoniCARES including Bayside Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott, Hilton Santa Monica Hotel & Suites, Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, Gateway Hotel Santa Monica, Hotel Carmel, Hotel Casa del Mar, Huntley Santa Monica Beach Hotel, JW Marriott Santa Monica Sandbourne Santa Monica, Le Meridien Delfina Santa Monica, Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, Palm Motel, Sea Shore Motel, Shore Hotel, Shutters on the Beach Hotel, The Ambrose Hotel, The Georgian Hotel and Wyndham Santa Monica. Certificates will be distributed on behalf of the hotels directly to the local emergency representatives for distribution. All essential workers in Santa Monica may also access special offers from local businesses by visiting santamonica.com/essential.
SMTT encourages visitors to travel responsibly to and around Santa Monica while enjoying its sun-drenched beach, outdoor dining and unique shopping. Seize the day and stay the night as many Santa Monica hotels are offering packages with experiences for families. To help visitors safely and respectfully explore the beachside city during this unique moment in time, new resources are available on how to travel responsibly, hotel safety measures, discounts at local businesses, a personalized vacation planning tool, a KCRW playlist and more at santamonica.com/shines or #SantaMonicaShines.
Please visit ustravel.org/NTTW to learn more about National Travel and Tourism Week.
About Santa MoniCARES
Santa MoniCARES is a coalition of representatives from Santa Monica Travel & Tourism and community partners. The mission of Santa MoniCARES is to harness the hospitable nature and generosity of Santa Monica’s tourism industry to provide support to our local nonprofit agencies. Santa MoniCARES will engage employees of hotels, restaurants, attractions, retailers and more to provide volunteer hours, funding and in-kind support to the incredible organizations that are tackling homeless issues, environmental protection, hunger, workforce development, cultural programming, at-risk youth and elderly assistance, among others.
About Santa Monica Travel & Tourism
Santa Monica Travel & Tourism (SMTT) is a non-profit organization designed to increase visitor expenditures, tourism revenues and local employment opportunities through the promotion of Santa Monica as a travel destination. For more information visit santamonica.com, email info@santamonica.com, or follow SMTT on Instagram (@SeeSantaMonica), Twitter (@GoSantaMonica) or Facebook (@VisitSantaMonica).
