“Travel California. Respect California.” This is the new motto being shared by the state’s tourism marketing nonprofit, Visit California, to encourage safe and responsible travel throughout the state this summer and beyond.
Visit California launched a 'Responsible Travel Code' that asks visitors to travel with “RESPECT” by committing to seven main points when exploring the Golden State:
- Roam Responsibly
- Educate Myself
- Safety First
- Preserve California
- Embrace Community
- Celebrate Culture
- Teach Others
The code combines the imperative to travel safely amid the coronavirus pandemic with California’s ongoing effort to encourage visitors, tourism industry partners and Californians to create a sustainable and respectful environment.
“The tenets of our ‘Responsible Travel Code’ speak to both preserving California and to the safety of our communities and visitors as the state begins to reopen for leisure travel,” said Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California, in a statement. “We hope this code can serve as a quick resource for travelers on how to stay safe and be respectful of others and of the environment when visiting the state.”
The code is published on the newly launched website, VisitCalifornia.com, as part of a Responsible Travel Hub. The Hub is a resource for travelers, demonstrating ways they can travel safely and responsibly, while also sharing what businesses and communities across the state are doing to ensure the safety of their employees and guests. Content on the hub includes tips and strategies for those ready to travel and covers what travelers need to know about visiting California beaches, hotels, wineries, breweries, shops, restaurants and parks and trails.
The coronavirus crisis has devastated California’s tourism industry, Visit California says, bringing leisure travel to a halt for three months. New state public health guidance, however, went into effect June 12 and allows counties to open for leisure travel, provided health benchmarks are met and social distancing and sanitizing protocols are adopted.
“Visitors should plan ahead by checking with the destinations they intend to visit to learn what activities are allowed, prohibited or limited, and prepare accordingly,” Beteta added.
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