As cataclysmic as the last couple weeks have been you can see a return to normalcy beginning. Maybe not so much for those that lost their home, business, or a loved one, but in an economic sense.
Restaurants and other businesses are reopening. The big question is, "Have we scared away too many visitors?" Even though the destruction was only a small part of Sonoma County, people may be staying away in droves. Tourism is a really big piece of the local economy.
As we head into November and the winter months it's a naturally slower time for visitors coming to the area. I would speculate this winter may be slower than normal. The hope is things will return to normal come spring when visitation normally picks up. That's probably the best we can hope for.
The fear is this will be a semi-permanent or even permanent hit on the tourism economy. I don't believe it will be permanent, but the question is, when will those dollars return? The Sonoma County Tourism agency, that has done such a great job promoting the county over the years, really has their work cut out for them.
If you own or work at a local wine-related business: Be patient, this is going to take awhile.
If you are a potential visitor: Realize that the whole county didn't burn. After all, Sonoma County is bigger than Rhode Island in land area.
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