Name: ‘Devastated’ California tourism industry losing $72 billion, report says
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&#8216;Devastated&#8217; California tourism industry losing $72 billion, report says

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By | | San Gabriel Valley TribuneCalifornia’s tourism industry is on track to lose more than $72 billion in visitor spending this year, nearly half of what it generated in 2019, according to .Tourism Economics, a provider of economic analysis, forecasts and consulting advice, prepared the report for , the state’s nonprofit tourism and marketing organization.The study shows the COVID-19 pandemic has erased a record 10 years of growth in visitor spending, state and local tax revenue and jobs created. It will result in 613,000 California jobs lost by the end of May, the report said, more than half the industry’s workforce that had grown at an average rate of 3.2% a year for the last decade, employing 1.2 million Californians in 2019.Southern California economist Robert Kleinhenz said the industry’s recovery won’t be instantaneous.“It’s a grim story,” Kleinhenz said. “When we look at our experience after 9/11, it took a few years for travel volumes to recover from that. People were hesitant to travel and gather in large meeting spaces.”In a disruption that is virtually unprecedented, major attractions including Disneyland, Six Flags Magic Mountain and Universal Studios Hollywood are sitting idle amid warm weather that would typically attract thousands of visitors.Read more:The current projections are particularly dismal in light of where the industry was last year. Another report by &nbsp;shows visitors spent $144.9 billion in 2019, a 3.2 percent increase over 2018.The number of travel and tourism jobs increased by 13,000 last year to 1.2 million jobs, the report said, and travel-generated tax revenue grew for the 10th straight year, providing $12.2 billion to state and local governments. That represented a 3.4% increase over 2018.In a posting on its website, Universal Studios Hollywood said it has extended its closure at least through May 31. Tickets bought for park visits during the closure period will be automatically extended for use through Dec. 18, management said.Those who can’t visit during that time can apply the value of their unused tickets toward a new purchase.“For now, we must make the health and safety of our guests and team members our top priority,” Universal said, “and we will continue to take guidance from health agencies and government officials.”Southern California beaches, another major tourism draw, also remain largely barren.Huntington Beach, Dana Point and various businesses throughout Orange County sought a temporary restraining order in Orange County Superior Court on Friday that would have blocked Gov. Gavin Newsom’s executive order to close their beaches. But Judge Nathan Scott rejected the injunction.Newsom ordered a blanket closure of all parks and beaches in Orange County after images surfaced of people gathering at the beaches and ignoring social distancing guidelines. But on Monday he announced some retail businesses will be allowed to&nbsp;reopen with modifications as early as Friday.Laguna Beach and San Clemente city-run beaches have been given the go-ahead to open to the public, with restrictions, based on plans they submitted to the governor’s office over the weekend.San Clemente’s beaches opened Monday afternoon, May 4, for active use such as surfing or walking, and the pier will reopen on Tuesday, May 5.Laguna Beach is starting with weekday morning hours for getting exercise. Neither is proposing for beachgoers to lounge around in the sun.Los Angeles beaches remain closed, but beaches in Ventura County are open.Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California, said the pandemic-related numbers are sobering.“The data show just how vital tourism is to the California economy and why it must be restored when we control and ultimately overcome this deadly outbreak,” Beteta said in a statement.When that time arrives, Visit California will be encouraging people to travel within the state, shop locally and visit local restaurants, wineries and other attractions, she said.“California has led the nation in its response to the health crisis, and it will lead the economic comeback,” Beteta said.Staff writers Erika I. Ritchie and Laylan Connelly contributed to this report.We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. We reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions.Get the latest news delivered daily!Follow UsMost PopularClose

By | | San Gabriel Valley TribuneCalifornia’s tourism industry is on track to lose more than $72 billion in visitor spending this year, nearly half of what it generated in 2019, according to .Tourism Economics, a provider of economic analysis, forecasts and consulting advice, prepared the report for , the state’s nonprofit tourism and marketing organization.The study shows the COVID-19 pandemic has erased a record 10 years of growth in visitor spending, state and local tax revenue and jobs created. It will result in 613,000 California jobs lost by the end of May, the report said, more than...

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‘Devastated’ California tourism industry losing $72 billion, report says