Industry

California’s Economic Engine: 
In a normal year, there would be plenty to celebrate.

• California’s tourism economy grew for the 10th straight year in 2019 — a decade of excellence.
• Visitor spending in 2019 was $144.9 billion, up 3.2 percent from 2018.
• The industry created 20,000 more jobs — 1.2 million California workers employed by the travel industry. Job growth averaged 3.2 percent a year over the decade.
• Tax revenue from visitors generated $12.2 billion for state and local governments, a 3.4 percent increase over 2018. That amounts to $920 in savings for each California household.
• For the decade, tourism’s contribution to government treasuries increased by 33 percent — more money for roads, first responders and infrastructure.

Ventura County Coast Impact Numbers – 2019
Travel and tourism is an economic engine for our region.

• Total Travel Spending was more than $1.8 billion in 2019
• Decade Travel Spending increase of 34 percent
• Travel Related Jobs resulted in more than 17,000 jobs
• Total Local Tax Revenue was $57 million

*Data provided by Visit California and Dean Runyan Associates

ROADMAP TO RESTORE AND GROW DEMAND FOR VENTURA COUNTY COAST

I am proud to report that over the past decade we have experienced consistent travel-related economic growth resulting in a 34 percent increase in direct travel spending. We have also seen steady job growth and year-over-year increases in local tax revenue here in Ventura County.

The 2019 “California Travel Impacts” report, prepared for Visit California by Dean Runyan Associates, shows visitor spending reached more than $1.8 billion and supported 17,000 jobs in Ventura County. Additionally, visitor spending generated $57 million in local tax revenue last year, providing a stream of revenue in Ventura County to fund our community’s way of life including support of essential programs, such as public safety, infrastructure and parks.

This data clearly shows how crucial the travel industry is for our lodging partners, workforce and local economies. Although the coronavirus pandemic will erase our 10 years of growth, we are facing this challenge head on with strategic optimism and data-driven decisions.

To ensure the tourism industry rebounds in Ventura County, we are working closely with all of our destination partners including Visit Camarillo, Visit Oxnard, Visit Ventura, Port Hueneme and Visit California among others. Over the past two years we have created a unique culture of collaboration here in Ventura County Coast. It is this unified effort that will be our source of strength as we meet and overcome the challenges and hardships we are all facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We know in 2019 visitor spending reached more than $1.8 billion in Ventura County and we look forward to reaching and exceeding that figure as we work to restore and grow demand for our region.

Brian Tucker
Executive Director
Ventura County Lodging Association