Visit San Luis Obispo County, the City of San Luis Obispo Tourism Business Improvement District, and California Highway 1 Discovery Route received the “Visit California Poppy Award” for efforts in marketing, public relations and community service.

Tourism organizations are honored and selected by a panel of industry marketing professionals in 10 categories including Best Overall Marketing Program, Best Digital Campaign, Best Social Media Campaign, Best Public Relations Campaign and Commitment to Community.

“San Luis Obispo County was well represented at the Poppy Awards,” said Chuck Davison, president and CEO of Visit San Luis Obispo County. “For our county to receive three out of 10 statewide tourism awards is quite an achievement and really speaks to how far tourism promotion has come in San Luis Obispo County. The honor is amplified because we are being recognized by our peers.”

The campaign was funded and overseen by the City of San Luis Obispo’s Tourism Business Improvement District and San Luis Obispo’s hotels saw a 12.3% increase in transient occupancy taxes collected and paid to the City.