Industry

These economic impacts are based on “statewide visitor trips,” which are defined as trips taken by individuals who stay overnight away from home or travel more than 50 miles one way on a non-routine trip. This definition of a visitor is derived from the California Tourism Marketing Act.

MAJOR TAKEAWAYS

2023 Economic Impact of Travel

• Travel spending surpassed $150 billion in 2023, setting a record and marking full spending recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Spending exceeded 2019 levels in 34 out of 58 counties.
• Three of California’s four international gateways – San Diego, Orange and Los Angeles counties – exceeded 2019 travel spending levels, while San Francisco was 97.2% recovered.
• The $12.7 billion in state and local taxes generated by visitors in 2023 marked a 3% increase over 2019.
• Taxes generated by travel in 2023 saved Californians $966 per household.
• Tourism created 64,900 new jobs in 2023, bringing total industry employment to 1,155,000. That’s 98% of 2019 levels, before the pandemic shut down businesses and put more than 500,000 travel and hospitality workers out of work in a matter of days.
• International visitors spent $24.3 billion in California in 2023, a 38% increase over 2022 and 15% below the $28.6 billion peak in 2018.

Ventura County – 2023 Economic Impact of Travel  

• Travel and tourism are an economic engine for Ventura County. 
• Spending in 16 counties declined year-over-year, while visitor spending in Ventura County increased 2.2%.
• Travel spending in Ventura County increased 2.2% year-over-year totaling $1.87 billion in 2023.
• Direct travel-generated employment increased by 5% totaling 16,810 jobs in 2023.
• Direct travel earnings increased to $702 million, a gain of 11.5%.
• Tax receipts generated by travel spending gained 2.2% totaling $162 million in 2023.
  • Local = $72 million
  • State = $90 million
    • Total = $162 million

*Data provided by Visit California and Dean Runyan Associates