Economic Impact of Travel in California 2013-2022
Authored by Dean Runyan Associates, Inc.
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Impact Report (PDF) PDF
(Date Of Publication: May 04, 2023)
Impact Report (PDF) PDF
(Date Of Publication: May 04, 2023)
California travel impacts in total, and by region and county from 2013 to 2022.
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. Some destinations in California calculate visitation and economic impacts using different definitions of visitors and different data-gathering methods, so figures may not match.
MAJOR TAKEAWAYS
- In 2022, travel spending grew to $134.4 billion, a 31.7% increase from the prior year. Since the peak of 2019, travel spending has declined by 7.2%.
- The travel industry supported approximately 1.09 million jobs in 2022, a 16.8% increase from the prior year. Compared to 2019, travel industry employment has declined by 7.3%.
- Travel-generated state and local tax revenue increased to $11.9 billion in 2022, an increase of 21.6% from the prior year. Compared to 2019, travel-generated tax revenue has fallen by 3%.
- Visitor air travel on domestic flights to California destinations increased by 66% in 2022, from 21.4 million to 35.5 million arrivals.
- Visitors who stayed in a hotel, motel, or short-term vacation rental (STVR) spent a combined $67.6 billion in 2022, an increase of 25.7% compared to 2021.
California’s travel and tourism industry is represented by accommodations, transportation and rental cars, restaurants, retail stores, attractions, gasoline service stations, and other businesses that serve travelers. Traveler spending benefits tourism providers across all industry segments and across all of California's regions.
EMPLOYMENT
Travel-related spending in 2022 supported 1.09 million jobs statewide. Direct impacts represent earnings attributable to travel expenditures made directly by travelers at businesses across the state, while indirect impacts are from earnings associated with industries that supply goods and services to tourism businesses.
