EVOLVE Business and Entrepreneur Magazine First Coast Region - October 2021 | Page 30

Delfinos Italian Chophouse in Hammock Beach Golf Resort and Spa . The designs and features depicted by artists computer renderings are subject to change .
wellness , beach ecology field trips for students , White Oak Conservation experience or fishing with a chef for your personal dinner ,” says Greg Cook , General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton , Amelia Island .
Greg Cook
Along with the desire to enthrall guests is an understanding among those in the hospitality industry that cleanliness is next to godliness , and tourism partners were careful to articulate the measures taken to ensure the safety of their visitors .
Kerry Mitruska , Director of Sales and Marketing for the Hammock Beach Resort in Palm Coast says the beachfront golf resort and spa , like many luxury properties , strives to exceed standards daily for their guests .
Kerry Mitruska
“ The health and safety of our guests and associates remains a top priority . Since the beginning , we have diligently followed the CDC guidelines along with those from local and state health authorities when it comes to operating in this new environment , and we will continue to do so ,” said Mitruska .
As visitors resume and expand their travel patterns , visibility plays a key role in assuaging concerns .
“ Cleanliness has always been important to us . What may have been a function largely performed out of view of our guests in the past - cleaning , sanitizing and disinfecting - is now done more frequently and oftentimes within view of our guests ,” he shared .
The diverse experiences and attention to detail have had a noted impact on the tourism industry , building confidence among travelers and the summer of 2021 was the year of the road trip .
Leaving behind Los Angeles , California , and taking ownership of The Island Cottage Oceanfront Inn mid-August 2021 , new hotelier Mica Campbell is looking forward to seeing the upward trend in visitation continue for the TripAdvisor 2021 Traveler ’ s Choice Award winning property in
Mica Campbell
Flagler Beach .
“ I know that the sellers for them , it ’ s been quite busy the last few months . It has really picked up ,” she said , while welcoming guests to the boutique bed and breakfast .
“ What I ’ ve noticed in the last two weeks , it ’ s drivers ,” she said . “ Relatively local from Orlando , Jacksonville and as far away as Georgia , but they did drive . I think we ’ ve got someone coming from California next week .”
It ’ s those road trip explorers who were also among the first to keep the industry thriving throughout the pandemic as they searched for places less crowded , with more wide open spaces . Airbnb proprietors like Jamie Kretsinger were ready to accommodate visitors , one get away at a time .
“ With the wonderful climate and natural charm of our area , we have always strived to make outdoor spaces an integral part of the experience at one of our properties ,” he said
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