Research Dashboard

2024 Economic Impact of Travel

Travel Indicators Summary

While economic data reporting has resumed post-shutdown, some measures remain unreliable. That said, inflation in November remained uncomfortably high and was likely understated in the 2.7% reading. Labor demand softened, and consumer sentiment approached near-record lows.
Travel sentiment remained stable despite the broader decline in overall economic sentiment noted above, although California residents were somewhat more negative this month. Intent for international leisure travel remained near peak levels, signaling continued competitive pressure on domestic leisure demand heading into 2026.
California outperformed the U.S. in RevPAR growth (+1.7% vs. -2.3%), driven by ADR gains (+2.4%), though growth was concentrated in the San Francisco Bay Area. Excluding the Bay Area, statewide room revenue would have declined 2%, while the region benefited from strong group demand, with group room revenue up nearly 40% year over year.
There were record screenings at TSA checkpoints over the Thanksgiving holiday, with Sunday, Nov. 30, setting a record for single-day screenings. However, for the month, both U.S. and California screenings were down compared with November 2024. Airlift to California, measured by nonstop seats, declined 2% for the month, marking the fourth consecutive month of reduced airlift.

Source: Visit California and third-party data sets