Visit California has announced that travellers to the Golden State collectively spent more than $122 billion in 2015, proving the travel and tourism industry is continuing to propel California’s economy forward.
An annual economic impact report released by Visit California, a non-profit statewide organisation that promotes California on behalf of the state’s tourism industry, shows that direct visitor spending increased 3.4 per cent from 2014, as tourism’s economic engine continues to benefit all Californians by generating more than one million jobs and significant tax revenue in all counties across the state.
Tourism spending spurred $9.9 billion in state and local tax revenue in 2015, empowering local governments to invest in infrastructure improvements and innovative projects that provide cultural and civic amenities for residents and visitors alike. An analysis of data compiled by Dodge Market Research report found that from 2006 to 2015 new building and renovation projects in California related to tourism reached $20 billion, with an average of $2 billion in infrastructure investments per year. This includes airport modernisations, new dining, entertainment and retail districts and other amenities that benefit visitors and residents alike.
Visit California’s report includes the economic benefits of leading tourism sectors such as hotels, rental cars and retail as well as the statewide and county-by-county benefits. Out of California’s 58 counties, 51 saw an increase in direct travel spending compared to 2014, including:
Fresno: $1.41 billion in traveller spending, up from $1.38 billion (1.8 per cent increase)
Los Angeles: $25.88 billion in traveller spending, up from $25.23 billion (2.6 per cent increase)
Monterey: $2.71 billion in traveller spending, up from $2.59 billion (4.5 per cent increase)
Sacramento: $3.63 billion in traveller spending, up from $3.45 billion (5.3 per cent increase)
San Diego: $15.4 billion in traveller spending, up from $14.8 billion (four percent increase)
San Francisco: $14.29 billion in traveller spending, up from $13.91 billion (2.9 per cent increase)
Santa Barbara: $2.06 billion in traveller spending, up from $2.01 billion (2.7 per cent increase)
Shasta County: $421.4 million in traveller spending, up from $416 million (1.3 per cent increase)
The report highlights the state-wide and local economic impact of tourism to and through California from 1992 to 2015.
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