COVID-19 Part I: On the Oregon Coast with the Kiwanda Hospitality Group

October 4, 2020

COVID-19 is a challenge but one beach brewery works to adapt

Join Arica Sears, host of the Big Tourism podcast, as she listens to updates and concerns from coastal businesses along the Oregon Coast during the COVID-19 outbreak. In Part 1, Ken Henson joins Arica to share his perspective as a co-owner and Director of Food and Beverage for Kiwanda Hospitality Group. Located in Cannon Beach, Tillamook, and Pacific City, the Kiwanda Hospitality Group operates three pub-style restaurants, a farm to table restaurant, an international award-winning brewery, boutique hotel, luxury hotel and bakery. What effect has COVID-19 had so far on operations and morale? What concerns does the company have moving forward? If the storm of COVID-19 conversation has you down, listen to the silver lining at the end – can hospitality save the world? Only on ASPN's newest show, Big Tourism.

Show Transcription
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Arica Sears

Arica Sears is a fourth generation resident of a one stoplight town on the Oregon Coast. She was raised in the hand-me-down wetsuits, life jackets, and rubber boots of her two brothers and the waters of the Nestucca River. Her International Studies degree paved the way for her to research the effects of globalization in Peru on indigenous communities, count by-catch on the Ecuadorian coast, teach English in Spain & France, guide scuba diving in Mallorca, and document timber industry practices on the Oregon Coast. Arica currently works for the Oregon Coast Visitors Association as the Destination Management Coordinator for all 363 miles of Oregon coastline. She works with land management agencies, local businesses, nonprofits, government entities, and citizens to inspire travel and strengthen collaboration to create and steward a sustainable coastal economy.