Despite tough economic times, California's travel industry remains strong. Recent figures released by the California Travel and Tourism Commission (CTTC) show that direct travel spending in the Golden State reached almost $97 billion in 2007, up 3.6 percent from 2006. Travel spending last year generated nearly $6 billion in local and state tax revenues, an increase of $300 million.
According to Caroline Beteta, president of CTTC, “Although gains for 2007 are modest compared to prior years, the numbers aren't going down, nor are they flat. Our collective efforts are working, and the California brand, even in difficult times, is encouraging visitors to take vacations.”
Travel and tourism is one of the state's major employers, supporting over 900,000 jobs with earnings of $30 billion. According to CTTC, every 75 out-of-state visitors supported one California job.
“No doubt,” Beteta says, “there is power in travel and the California economy is benefitting.” www.visitcalifornia.com/research
