HAMPTON ROADS, Va. - It is safe to say several months of the tourist season in Hampton Roads and beyond has been impacted by the coronavirus.
"When they say this is unprecedented it really is, we are trying to re-brand and adapt," said Lisa Hamaker, Co-Founder of Taste Virginia Tours.
Many tourists not only flock to the state for the beaches, but also for the food and drink.
"We have it all here we have the history, the agriculture, the seafood wineries, breweries distilleries, its a celebration and we call it the birth place of American cuisine," Hamaker explained.
Hamaker and her husband Rex own Taste of Virginia Tours founded seven years ago.
"We provide entertainment fun, tasty fun," said Lisa.
Fun that has come to an unfortunate halt for the tour company.
"We are 100 percent shut down," said Rex Hamaker.
The Hamakers are used to conducting two to three tours a week, but they have not done a single tour so far this year.
"We are bringing in zero for revenue," said Rex.
The tour company is facing a double whammy thanks to the coronavirus. The restaurants, breweries, and wineries where they stop are partially closed for business. Them, the means of which they get there in a 12 passenger coach is firmly parked.
"With a 12 passenger coach hard it is hard to sit six feet apart no matter how much we clean and sanitize," said Rex Hamaker.
But instead of letting their business lose flavor; they are whipping up a new idea: Walking tours to fill the needs of foodies looking to entice their taste buds.
"We are kind of making it up as we go along, so many things are changing its a bit of a moving target," said Lisa.
Making the most of what is on their plate as they navigate through the pandemic.
"This is our passion, we love promoting the region as one of the top food sheds the entire country, and it is what started us to have the business itself," said Lisa.
For more information about Taste of Virginia Tours visit their website here.
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June 17, 2020 at 02:03AM
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Local food and drink touring company shifts business model due to COVID-19 - wtkr.com
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