Updated August 14, 2020
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UOT and Travelzoo to provide free marketing for your tourism promotions
Utah Office of Tourism has teamed up with Travelzoo, a global deals publisher, to promote our state and help drive more visitors to our hotels and attractions. These deals will be featured on a Partner Promotions page on Travelzoo’s website and will be promoted on their media network from September 15–December 15.
The UOT will further promote through Visit Utah social media channels and at visitutah.com. All partners have the opportunity to submit an offer for consideration to be included on the dedicated TravelZoo page. Offers must be received by August 31. Read our Travelzoo Opportunities FAQ (PDF). If you’re interested in receiving more information about this opportunity, please fill out the submission form below.
Note: Any Utah tourism business offering any discount to their visitors may be eligible for this free promotion opportunity.
State seeks additional funds for Shop In Utah
Thanks to Shop In Utah, millions of dollars of CARES Act funds are already being dispersed to hundreds of businesses and nonprofits throughout our industry.
Although Shop In Utah currently has requests exceeding the $25 million that was funded, we are working hard to secure additional CARES funding for this program. We encourage you to apply. The Governor’s Office of Economic Development will have additional information following the Utah Legislature’s special session later this month. Because all Shop In Utah applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis until funding runs out, it is important to apply soon.
Learn more about the progress of Shop in Utah then click the link on the COVID-19 Impacted Businesses Grant Program link
Senator Romney’s Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Town Hall
In partnership with Utah’s Office of Tourism and Office of Outdoor Recreation, Senator Mitt Romney hosted a virtual town hall with Utah businesses on Wednesday, August 12.
During this town hall, Senator Romney provided a brief update on discussions in Washington surrounding the next COVID-19 relief package, and fielded questions from participants. Representatives of Utah’s outdoor recreation and tourism industry shared how COVID-19 is impacting their operations.
Latest Travel Guidance
Last month, the state of Utah’s coronavirus team recently published an important article for our industry. The travel guidance page offers recommendations for those looking at travel during COVID-19. While it acknowledges that travel can increase your exposure to the coronavirus, it provides useful information for how to visit safely. These guidelines will help protect visitors and residents alike. The Utah Office of Tourism also provided this guidance for safe and responsible visitation.
Utah Leads Together
Utah’s Economic Response Task Force released Volume 4 of the Utah Leads Together plan based on three core pillars: follow public health guidelines, stay engaged with the economy and assist those in need. Version 4.9 (PDF) provides guidance for restaurants operating 24 hours per day and restaurants with buffet service, among other updates. Utah’s health guidance system tracks counties and localities by color code to inform residents and visitors of area health guidelines.
Color-Coded Risk Phases
In close consultation with local health authorities and with the Utah Department of Health, Gov. multiple counties remain in the green “New Normal” phase.
As restrictions are lifted in the New Normal phase, the likelihood of COVID-19 spread is increased. Because of this, the general public are strongly encouraged to follow current federal and local public health precautions, including hygiene measures, physical distancing, face coverings, and symptom monitoring at group gatherings. Symptomatic individuals should not attend social gatherings.
Travelers should try to limit non-essential travel during the COVID-19 pandemic and are asked to use appropriate precautions when traveling. Some areas have imposed self-quarantine for travelers from Utah.
Yellow Low-Risk travel guidelines likewise request that the general public reconsider non-essential travel to areas with widespread community transmission of COVID-19. Within Utah, adhere to the guidelines of the geographical areas through which you are traveling. Most of Utah is currently in the yellow, Low-Risk phase or green, New Normal phase (with the exception of orange, Moderate Risk Salt Lake City as of 6/19) each recommending reasonable precautions and personal responsibility. There are exceptions and residents and visitors alike should be aware that areas may return to moderate or higher risk guidelines if required.
To help build and sustain consumer confidence, the guidelines encourage employers of all businesses to:
- Maintain flexible working arrangements (rotating shifts, remote work, etc.)
- Comply with distancing guidelines
- Screen daily when engaged with high-risk populations
- Sustain increased cleaning regimen of high-touch areas while monitoring staff for symptoms and well-being.
Additional best practices for employers include educating their workforce about the threat of COVID-19 and what they should do to safe including posting signage at entrances.
Residents and visitors alike can expect businesses in green “new normal” areas to be available as follows:
- Businesses open and operating under enhanced hygiene and cleaning regimen with monitoring of workforce and customers.
Residents of Utah and visitors alike can also expect businesses in yellow “low-risk” areas to be available as follows:
- Dine-in service and bars are opened, with tables arranged so there is appropriate distance between diners. Increased hygiene practices for customers and staff.
- Hospitality, tourism and accommodations are opened with precautions taken for shared spaces; additional caution is taken with extra sanitation of all areas of the property. In addition, the guidelines recommend these businesses maintain signage to remind groups to follow social distancing guidelines and avoid congregating in common areas.
- As always, the guidelines also recommend that face coverings are worn in settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
Download the updated list of social and business Phased Guidelines.
All of Utah’s Mighty 5 national parks as well as our national monuments, recreation areas and state parks are open, though some indoor services and resources may remain limited and visitors are advised to check official park pages and social media channels for current travel alerts and closures. At this time Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park and Four Corners remain closed.
Visit our Traveler Information page for additional resources and links and please let us know of updates or improvements to our information.
As an industry and as a state, we continue to execute on that plan to adapt, innovate and overcome through the pandemic. Indeed, roughout it all, Utah’s tourism industry had continued to inspire through innovation and resiliency.
For the latest information, sign up for the Utah Office of Tourism partner newsletter.
Who to Follow
- The state of Utah’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) information hub
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control Travel Health Notices and COVID-19 Information for Travel
American Hotel & Lodging Association’s Coronavirus Resource Page - U.S. Travel Association’s COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness and Response
- The Utah Office of Tourism’s COVID-19 Traveler Information on visitutah.com, which includes the latest reports of closures or restricted activities.
- The Governor’s Office of Economic Development COVID-19 information page
- Brand USA Coronavirus Industry Impact and Updates
If you’re worried about whether you may have COVID-19, please call the Utah Coronavirus Information Line at 1-800-456-7707.
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