Hospitality Update in Response to San Diego County Fires
28 October 2003 - 1:21AM
PR Newswire (US)
Hospitality Update in Response to San Diego County Fires ESCONDIDO,
Calif., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- As the recent wildfires have had
devastating effects throughout specific residential areas in San
Diego County, the San Diego North Convention and Visitors Bureau
reports that the hospitality industry remains unharmed to date.
Many hotels, restaurants and area attractions are still open for
business and are getting involved in assisting local residents who
have been displaced. Areas directly affected by the fires are
Valley Center, just east of Escondido, which remains unharmed as
well as the adjacent community of Fallbrook. The residential areas
of Scripps Ranch have also seen fire destruction, which is just
south of Rancho Bernardo, which remains unharmed to date. Remaining
fires throughout San Diego County are not within the San Diego
North corridor, and are located east and south of the region. "We
have seen an incredible outpouring of support from our local
hospitality partners in light of the recent fire disasters
affecting the residents of San Diego County as well as stranded
tourists. I would also like to thank our elected officials, as well
as our police, and fire chiefs for their quick response and
successful efforts to keep our communities safe," states Cami
Mattson, President and CEO, San Diego North Convention &
Visitors Bureau. Hotels are reaching out to displaced residents to
provide them with free or discounted accommodations during this
terrible time of need. A few of the hotels that have pitched in to
assist the evacuation rescue effort in providing comfortable
lodging for residents, include: * La Costa Resort and Spa provided
26 families free accommodations on Sunday, October 26, and are
offering a $100 rate for additional nights. Additionally, resort
employees have collected resort toiletries to donate to the
evacuation centers located throughout the County. * Hilton San
Diego Torrey Pines provided 220 free rooms, and approximately 100
will stay at least one additional night at a $50 rate. * Holiday
Inn Carlsbad-by-the-Sea took in evacuees with pets offering a
special "evacurate" of $109 per night. * La Jolla Cove Suites
offers a minimum 50% discount to evacuated residents and have
implemented a pet friendly policy as well. * San Diego Marriott Del
Mar offers a 50% discounted rate through November 2, 2003. *
Hampton Inn Del Mar offers reduced rates, and has provided several
complimentary rooms for the Red Cross. * ResorTime.com properties
throughout San Diego offer a fire rate of $99 per night at Carlsbad
Inn, Seapointe, Prava Hotel and Hotel La Jolla. * Hilton Del Mar is
offering 25 complimentary rooms per night to the Red Cross that
provides the names of residents. Those not referred through the Red
Cross can receive a $50 rate. Additional hotels and resorts
providing refuge, and are still open for business include the Four
Seasons Resort Aviara, Rancho Bernardo Inn, La Jolla Marriott,
Lodge at Torrey Pines, La Quinta Rancho Penasquitos, and SpringHill
Suites Scripps Poway. Major closures include Harrah's Rincon Casino
& Resort and Valley View Casino are evacuated due to power
outages, and hope to re-open by this Wednesday, October 29.
Visitors are able to visit a few area attractions, including Quail
Botanical Gardens in Encinitas, as well as the Del Mar
"Scaregrounds'" Scream Zone. Many attractions have decided to close
due to air quality issues, and will re-open when it is safe to do
so. Although hotels have experienced a few cancellations, it has
opened up room inventory to accommodate families who have
evacuated. No major economic downturn is anticipated due to the
fires. This crisis should not have any impact on business arriving
later or after this week. At this time, most major interstates and
freeways to our various tourist attractions and accommodations are
open to traffic, including Interstate 5 (access to Orange County
and Los Angeles), Interstate 15 (access to the desert communities
and Las Vegas), and Interstate 8 (access to local beaches and
Arizona). Additionally, San Diego International Airport remains
open during the fire emergency. Airlines serving the Airport are
operating with reduced schedules, and travelers are strongly
encouraged to contact their respective airlines for information on
possible delays or cancellations. The San Diego North Convention
and Visitors Bureau as well as the Visitor Center remain open, and
act as a resource to travelers and locals alike. The San Diego
North Convention & Visitors Bureau represents the areas of La
Jolla north to Encinitas, Carlsbad, and Oceanside, and east to
Rancho Bernardo, Escondido, Julian and the Anza-Borrego Desert. For
more information and updates on the San Diego North region, or to
request a visitor's planning guide, call toll free 800.848.3336, or
visit online at http://www.sandiegonorth.com/ . DATASOURCE: San
Diego North Convention & Visitors Bureau CONTACT: Cami Mattson,
, or Elizabeth Ranta, , both of San Diego North Convention &
Visitors Bureau, +1-760-745-4741 Web site:
http://www.sandiegonorth.com/
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