The San Francisco Travel Association (SF Travel) is launching a promotional campaign to support the much-anticipated reopening of businesses in San Francisco six months after the COVID-19 induced Shelter in Place.
The campaign, developed in collaboration with Visit California, will run from September 28 to December 6, 2020. It targets California travelers by calling all Californians to support their state by vacationing here.
“All our efforts are now focused on helping the city’s tourism industry recover from the months of ‘sheltering in place’ as San Franciscans stayed at home and successfully helped to flatten the curve of the coronavirus,” said Joe D’Alessandro, president and CEO of San Francisco Travel, the official destination marketing organization for the City and County of San Francisco.
“Industry research overwhelmingly indicates that people will be taking their first vacations close to home this year. Fortunately for people in the Bay Area, that includes exploring San Francisco and beyond,” he added.
Under the motto “Our Gate is Open”, SF Travel is providing a marketing platform for partners in the city and the East Bay. Partners include United Airlines, Oakland, and the Mount Diablo region, which is comprised of Concord, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, and Tri-Valley (Danville, Dublin, Pleasanton and Livermore).
SF Travel has created specific partner landing pages Calling All Californians as part of the umbrella #OurGateisOpen campaign, which include three-day itineraries highlighting safety precautions in place and the best of San Francisco, Mt. Diablo Region, and Oakland. The campaign will also run on Expedia. Sojern and Adara media platforms.
Another key component of the campaign is a video in which popular local celebrities share what they are looking forward to most as San Francisco’s restaurants, shops and attractions reopen. The video was produced by San Francisco Travel in collaboration with the celebrities.
Oscar-winning director, producer, writer and winemaker Francis Ford Coppola, Coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors, former San Francisco Giants player Hunter Pence and his influencer wife Alexis, and Mayor London Breed provide insights and inside tips on how to enjoy and rediscover the city after the long pandemic shutdown.
Each of the celebrities volunteered their time to help the local economy quickly begin the process of recovery.
“We are very excited to finally welcome visitors back to the Bay Area. San Francisco has been very successful so far in keeping COVID-19 infection rates under control. The city had the lowest COVID-19 death rate among all major U.S. cities throughout most of the pandemic. The COVID-19 Prevention & Enhanced Cleaning Guidelines put forth by the Hotel Council of San Francisco ensures that our hospitality businesses are adhering to the most elaborate cleaning and safety protocols,” said Joe D’Alessandro. “Now, we want to continue to lead the way in reopening our economy safely, without putting the health of either residents or visitors at risk. San Francisco Travel invites all visitors who are planning to come in 2020 to contribute to a safe and enjoyable experience by adhering to our health and safety protocols, and by taking our Safe Travel Pledge.”
