As Cambria, California faces the possibility of running out of water due to the current drought emergency, it’s not just homeowners who are gravely concerned.
Hoteliers like Mitchell Masia (pictured right), who co-owns Cambria Inns Collection, which includes four properties on Cambria’s Moonstone Beach Drive, are caught between keeping guests comfortable – and literally turning them away at the door.
As part of the tourism support force that funds much of Cambria, Cambria Inns Collection has taken proactive steps to significantly decrease water use to minimize the impact made by the guests frequenting its 78 available rooms, and avoid significant overuse fines.
“We’re in a bit of a catch-22 over here,” said Masia. “Like everyone else in Cambria, we are deeply concerned about the current water situation, but we are also charged with the responsibility of maintaining occupancy in a tourism-supported community. We’re doing everything we can to minimize water usage while still keeping our valued guests comfortable.”
The Cambria Chamber of Commerce estimates Cambria attracts around one million visitors per year, with Cambria’s lodging industry contributing about $3 million in revenue annually to San Luis Obispo County.
In addition to conducting a full water audit at the Collection’s Blue Dolphin Inn, Sand Pebbles Inn, Castle Inn and Moonstone Cottages, other preemptive water mitigation initiatives implemented by the company include installing increased flow reduction shower heads in all guestrooms; removing all glassware from guestrooms and breakfast areas; irrigating property landscape from a remote, non-potable water source; implementing a new laundry procedure to reduce water usage by 25 percent; and lowering the pool temperature.
Each guestroom also includes written material requesting that guests be water conscious during their stay.
“The overwhelming positive in this worrisome situation is that everyone is tasked to become more efficient and sustainable,” said Masia. “The steps we are taking now will have long-terms benefits for both our business and the beautiful and distinct environment that supports it.”
