SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – The annual report released by Visit SLO CAL, the official tourism marketing and management organization for San Luis Obispo County, shows continued strong visitor numbers over the past year.
According to Visit SLO CAL, direct tourism travel spending in 2023 will reach $2.32 billion, up slightly from 2022, when spending reached $2.15 billion.
Visit SLO CAL also reported that transient occupancy tax (TOT) revenue generated $60.1 million in 2023, helping fill municipal coffers.
Additionally, the travel industry workforce reached approximately 23,000 people, an increase of 2% year-on-year.
“To put the economic impact of travel spending in SLO CAL in a relatable way, each resident would need to spend an additional $20,000 or more to have the same economic impact on the area,” according to The Visit. said Lisa Marie Bersanti. SLO CAL Vice President of Communications. “Travel and tourism is part of the economic lifeblood of the region. Travel and tourism impacts almost every sector, including accommodation, restaurants, tourist attractions, and retail, and everything through it. and bring this benefit to the residents of SLO CAL.”
Other key indicators released by Visit SLO CAL for 2023 include $207 million generated in state and local taxes, tourism accounting for 10.66% of the county’s total gross domestic product (GDP), and total industry revenue reaching $912 million.
“We are excited to highlight the positive impact of tourism at SLO CAL,” said Kathy Cartier, interim president and CEO of Visit SLO CAL. “Tourism is the second largest economic driver in SLO CAL after agriculture, driving sales growth and innovation, supporting education, and promoting the operations that power our economies, nations, and communities. It plays a vital role in enabling the success of every industry.”
The release of the annual financial report coincides with the U.S. Travel Association’s National Travel and Tourism Week and California Tourism Month.
“Tourism in SLO CAL strengthens local businesses, contributes to community preservation, and creates thousands of jobs. We are pleased with tourism’s consistent performance in visitor spending in SLO CAL.”
