Member of the Month Archive

Destination Irvine Earns Smart Meetings’ Platinum Choice Award

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Destination Irvine has earned a Platinum Choice Award by Smart Meetings, the nation’s leading meetings industry publisher and voice of inspiration for meeting professionals. Smart Meetings readers nominate hotels, conference centers, convention and visitors bureaus (CVB), and destination marketing organizations that consistently exceed expectations and help planners deliver on their goals. Destination Irvine is only one of five organizations in California to earn the distinction. “I am extremely proud of the Destination Irvine team and beyond grateful to all of our hoteliers for their continued support of our sales and marketing efforts,” said Wendy Haase, the organization’s vice president. “While COVID-1...

More Airlines to Add John Wayne Airport Stops in 2021

Tuesday, November 03, 2020

(Orange County Register) If the coming of Spirit Airlines later this month wasn’t enough, travelers looking for budget flights into and out of Orange County should have even more options in 2021. Allegiant Air is expected to be the next to arrive, with service to start in February, followed by Sun Country Airlines in April, and in May, Air Canada should begin international service, according to a report from airport Director Barry Rondinella. The Orange County Board of Supervisors is expected to vote on John Wayne Airport’s 2021 seat allotments on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Why so many newcomers in such a short span o...

Irvine Ranks Second Fittest City in America

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Independent research by True People Search Insights found Irvine to be the second fittest cities in America. California dominates the list overall, with eight of its cities making the top ten: Boulder, CO Irvine, CA Sunnyvale, CA Fremont, CA Bellevue, WA Milpitas, CA Santa Clara, CA Newport Beach, CA San Ramon, CA Mountain View, CA With its 16,500 acres of preserved natural habitats and wildlands offering more than 60 miles hiking and biking trails, and its 270+ parks Irvine is differentiated from other Orange County cities, providing outdoor enthusiasts an alternative to surfing and beach activities. Amid social distancing measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, Irvine’s permanently preserved open space and extensive park system, including its gem the Orang...

Visit California Offers Travel Code for Responsible/Respectful Travelers

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

(CalChamber) As some Californians choose to venture cautiously outside amid closures and restrictions due to COVID-19, travel patterns have shifted and highlight the need for visitors to show respect toward local communities. Visit California offers the Responsible Travel Code as a quick resource on how to explore the Golden State responsibly and safely. A new video on Visit California’s Travel Matters website describes the code with stunning California images. The code speaks to both preserving California and to the safety of our communities as cities and counties continue toward recovery. It is part of Visit California’s new Responsible Travel Hub, which provides clear, fact-base...

Where to Eat in Orange County in 2020: A Map of the Best Places

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

(Orange County Register) For the previous five years, this guide has served as an adventurous scavenger hunt, a bucket-list ranking of the 75 best places to eat in Orange County. But 2020 changed the way we eat, so this year’s installment is a bit different. This moment calls for a more utilitarian approach. We’re all hungry for normalcy. But as much as we might crave a normal restaurant routine, that’s not happening. Not yet. Takeout still feels like the smartest solution for many people right now. And while many others may be eager to dine out again, that doesn’t mean we’re ready to be lingerin...

Irvine is Safest City of its Size for 15th Year

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

For the 15th consecutive year, Irvine is the Safest City of its size for violent crime, according to FBI data for 2019. Information released on Sept. 28 shows Irvine has the lowest rate of violent crime per capita of any city in the nation with a population of 250,000 or more. Irvine is also the Safest City of its size for violent crime for the first half of 2020, according to preliminary FBI data released earlier this month. The FBI’s Annual Uniform Crime Report measures crime, which includes murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft, auto theft, and arson. Irvine Mayor Christina Shea congratulated the Irvine Police Departmen...

Best of Orange County 2020: Irvine Voted Best City to Live In

Saturday, September 26, 2020

(Orange County Register) For the past 24 years, Best of Orange County voters have been asked to name the county’s best city to live in. Irvine has never failed to place in the top 3, and it has been the top vote recipient for 13 of those years and ranked second for 10 more. Many reasons are cited for Irvine’s livability. It routinely ranks among the nation’s safest cities—including being ranked "America's Safest Big City" by the FBI crime ranking of cities over 100,000 in population every year since 2005—and has recorded the lowest per capita crime rate for cities with 250,000 o...

Destination Irvine’s Work Contributes to Millions of Dollars in Economic Impact for the City

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

As many Orange County hotels compete for business, Destination Irvine—the destination marketing division of the Greater Irvine Chamber—is distinguishing the city as a preferred location for overnight visitors. The Destination Irvine team focuses on bringing business and sports groups to Irvine, matching them with properties that offer sought-after amenities and access to Irvine and Orange County facilities and locales. “The economic impact of visitor spending in Irvine contributes millions of dollars to local and state taxes, which offsets these costs for residents, said Wendy Haase, vice president, Destination Irvine. “Destination Irvine’s marketing and sales initiatives play a strategic role in generating trave...

Irvine’s Master-Planned Outdoor Respites are Increasingly Appreciated Assets Amid COVID-19

Wednesday, September 02, 2020

For several years, Destination Irvine has recognized that Irvine’s master-planned outdoor space is an extraordinary asset for residents and visitors alike. Destination Irvine, the Greater Irvine Chamber’s destination marketing division, has actively promoted Irvine’s outdoor space. With its 16,500 acres of preserved natural habitats and wildlands offering 60+ miles hiking and biking trails, Irvine is differentiated from other Orange County cities, providing outdoor enthusiasts an alternative to surfing and beach activities. Amid social distancing measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, Irvine’s permanently preserved open space and extensive park system, including its gem the Orange County Great Park and sports facilities, are particularly sought-after respites. “With its bold commitmen...

Irvine Restaurants with Outdoor Dining Service Remain Open Amid Shutdown Restrictions

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Irvine offers ample opportunities for diners to practice social distancing while enjoying a meal and taking in Southern California's beautiful year-round, picture-perfect weather. A list of Irvine area restaurants serving meals and drinks at their outdoor spaces and patios can be found at DestinationIrvine.com/restaurants/outdoor-dining. Updates are made regularly, so bookmark the page and check back often! Irvine area restaurants open for outdoor dining as of July 20, include: 90 Pacifica 90 Pacifica, Irvine Andrei's Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails 2607 Main St., Irvine Angelina's Pizzeria Napoletana 8573 Irvine Center Dr., Irvine Bacchus Bar & Bistro 6735 Quail Hill Pkwy., Irvine Bistango 19100 Von Karman Ave., Irvine BJ's Brewhouse 1313...

Travel and Tourism, a Vital Economic Driver to the Irvine Economy

Wednesday, May 06, 2020

In 2019, traveler expenditures for Irvine came to an estimated $781 million, an increase of 3.9% over 2018, according to the 2019 Visitor Impact report conducted specifically for Irvine by Dean Runyan Associates, on behalf of Destination Irvine. The Irvine travel industry contributed $49.6 million in local and state taxes. Without visitor spending, it is estimated, that resident households in Irvine would each pay $560 more a year in state and local taxes. “Transient Occupancy Taxes (TOT) pay for local services, said President and CEO of Greater Irvine Chamber Bryan Starr. “In Irvine, the 8% TOT, which is paid by hotel guests, account...

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