North Bay Business Journal

NAPA — Tourism in the Napa Valley has seen positive growth over the last 12 months and is poised to climb upward in the near future, as the region readies for the upcoming America’s Cup while the Napa Valley Destination Council rolls out several new aggressive marketing strategies, industry leaders said Thursday.

NAPA — The John Muir Inn has been purchased for $6.8 million by local hotelier Rick Swig, who plans to renovate and re-brand the 60-room property as the Napa Winery Inn.

Hotels across Sonoma, Marin and Napa counties showed solid improvement in key measures, including occupancy rates, revenue per available room and average daily room rate, according to new figures from industry research firms.

SONOMA COUNTY – A steady increase in occupancy rates and revenue should have Sonoma County tourism returning to pre-2008 levels by the start of the second quarter, seemingly putting an end to a prolonged downturn, according to the Sonoma County Tourism Bureau.

Chief creditor seeking proposals for center; also, Silverado for sale

North Bay restaurateurs confirmed last week the definitive arrival of the recession in hospitality, and though some have joined the ever-lengthening list of eateries looking to sell, others are doing what they can do to embrace the change.