Total visitor travel spending reached $149 billion in 2023, an increase of 6% over 2022 visitor spending. Total spending for California is forecast to grow 7% year over year, to $160 billion in 2024.
California Travel-Related Spend & Visitation Forecast (Feb update)
Tourism Economics
Forecast of visitation and traveler spending in California and traveler spending for California twelve regions with a five-year outlook for the state.
MAJOR TAKEAWAYS
- Tourism spending in California advanced 6% in 2023, totaling $149 billion. Growth is expected to average 7% in 2024, adding an additional $11 billion in direct tourism spending to California’s economy.
- Tourism spending has fully recovered compared to the previous highwater mark in 2019 due to impact of inflation. As a result, spending is now 3% higher than 2019, even as visitation volume still trails.
- In 2024, domestic visitation is expected to reach 98% of pre-pandemic levels, while international visitation should fully recover.
Source: Tourism Economics
Tourism Economics
Total visits to California increased 4% in 2023 nearing 270 million visitors. Visitation volume is expected to grow 4% and California welcome an additional 10 million visitors in 2024.
Filter by:
Tourism Economics
International travel spending increased 38% in 2023 and is expected to reach $29 billion in 2024.
Tourism Economics
International visitation to California increased 29% and reached 15.1 million in 2023. It is expected to reach 17.4 million visitors in 2024. While international visitation in total should recover in 2024, recovery rates across California’s top inbound markets remains uneven.
Total Domestic Annual Spending & Visitation
Tourism Economics
Domestic travel spending increased 2% in 2023 and is expected to reach $130 billion in 2024.
Tourism Economics
Domestic visitation increased 3% in 2023 and is expected to reach 263 million visits in 2024.
