January 6, 2025
Dear Chamber Members and Community Supporters:
Hello 2026—we’re looking forward to a great year ahead!
Remodeling work is still underway for our new office and Visitor Information Center at 218 South Main Street. We hope to make the move later this month, so stay tuned for a grand opening announcement.
Although we’ve been closed to walk-in visitors, our team has been hard at work preparing for a busy season of projects and events. Over the next three months, we’ll be representing Bishop at four travel and sports shows, starting with the International Sportsmen’s Expo, January 15–18 in Sacramento.
We’re also deep into planning for the Blake Jones Trout Derby, scheduled for Saturday, March 21. Believe it or not, it takes months of preparation to make this one-day event a success!
If your new year’s resolution is to put a bit more effort into improving your business, check out the upcoming Empower Hour and Customer Service Workshops offered by the Eastern Sierra Business Resource Center.
Need a little exercise to work off the holiday fun? This weekend, Sage To Summit’s Winter Race will benefit Eastside Student Center. Sierra Forever is hosting guided snowshoe hikes on Saturdays throughout January and February.
There are many more exciting happenings planned throughout the year. You’ll find them on our website at www.bishopvisitor.com. If you’d like to feature your own event on our online calendar, please use the Event Submission tab on the site.
Thank you for reading our e-news. We hope you find this information helpful, and we wish you health, happiness, and prosperity in the new year!
Sincerely,
Your Team at the Bishop Chamber of Commerce
A discussion regarding the decline in owner-occupied housing in Inyo County…
What does this really mean and what can/should we do about it if anything?
Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Location: Eastern Sierra Business Resource Center – 269 N. Main Street, Bishop
Program Presenter: Inyo County Tax Assessor Dave Stottlemyer
Cost: $20 per person includes lunch & raffle ticket for free future lunch
Reservation Appreciated – email [email protected]
ADVERTISE WITH US!
We are working now to update and republish the Bishop Visitor Guide Magazine. It’s the premier publication distributed in the Bishop Information Center and brochure racks throughout the region. We also hand out the magazine at all the travel & sport shows in key markets including Los Angeles, Costa Mesa, Sacramento and Bay Area.
The magazine is also available as a digital download and can be requested by mail.
Click here to see the rate sheet
TRAVEL INDUSTRY INSIGHTS…
- Bishop’s 2025 hotel occupancy was up and down throughout 2025, overall slightly higher than last year at 68.8%. February, May, June, July and November were all higher than the previous year while the other months were flat or slightly down YOY.
- October occupancy was 78.2% – a 6% decrease likely due to the prolonged government shutdown.
- November occupancy was up significantly +12.95%.
- Visit Bishop socials continue to grow – 75K followers on Facebook and 44.6K on Instagram.
- Through our partnership with Visit California, we recently hosted Aliki & Sascha Rettig for a fam trip that resulted in an outstanding article in the German travel magazine America Journal.
- Bishop is featured as a “top town to explore cowboy culture” in the January/February issue of True West Magazine! See our listing on page 90 and our display ad on page 63.
- The United Airlines flights to Bishop Airport are continuing to show year over year increases. For this season, SFO bookings are up 27% and DEN bookings are up 22%
- Summer air service to San Francisco will have a longer season – starting May 21st and going through October 23rd.
INYO ASSOCIATES IN DEATH VALLEY THIS MONTH
Inyo Associates is an informally organized group of community leaders, agency representatives and interested citizens – everyone is welcome. The group meets in different locations throughout Inyo County to share a meal and important information. It’s a great way to stay connected!
RSVP is very important to the future of Inyo Associates.
The host must know how many seats to set-up and how much food to prepare.
Click Here To Reserve and Pay for Your Meal
WINTER WONDER WIN!
Our friends at VP Custom Insurance have put together a cozy winter basket as a small way to say thank you to the community — no purchase, no pressure, just something fun.
• Free to enter
• Takes under 30 seconds
• Winner will be announced January 23rd
Good luck — and stay cozy!
2026 Mule Days Celebration Tickets
Just in time for holiday gift giving season – Mule Days tickets are on sale now!
Locals Only Airfare Discounts!
Bishop flights to and from San Francisco and Denver on United Airlines make it easier than ever to visit family and friends! If you are planning a trip, be sure to check out the discounts for locals at both Bishop and Mammoth Airports.
Bishop (BIH) to San Francisco (SFO)
Winter Service
- Flights run daily
- Service Dates: December 11, 2025 – April 4, 2026
- Two flights run on Saturdays: December 20 – January 3 and February 14 – April 4
Summer Service – Flights will run May 21, 2026 – October 23, 2026
Bishop (BIH) to Denver (DEN)
Winter Service
- Flights run daily
- Service Dates: December 18, 2025 – April 27, 2026
- Weekend Extras: December 19 – April 4
- Extra flight arrives Friday PM / departs Saturday AM
- Extra flight arrives Saturday PM / departs Sunday AM
Advanced Airlines from Mammoth Airport can connect you to Hawthorne and Carlsbad, CA.
Mammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH) to Hawthorne-LA (HHR) or Carlsbad (CLD)
Winter Service
- Flights run Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays and Mondays
- Service Dates: November 26, 2025 through April 27, 2026
- Holiday Exceptions:
- Thanksgiving: No service on Thanksgiving Day. Service will operate Wednesday 11/26 instead
- Christmas: No service on Christmas Day. Service will operate Wednesday 12/24 instead
Fly more, save more! Check out Advanced Air’s bulk ticket specials with their Altitude Annual Passes. These 10 one-way flight packages include tickets that are fully transferable to family and friends.
It is the mission of the Bishop Chamber of Commerce to promote business, tourism and responsible recreation for the benefit of our community.
Not already a member?
Please consider joining today.
Discover more from Eastern Sierra Now | Local News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
