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SACRAMENTO - 04/07/05 - The California travel industry "continues to reap the benefits of a rebounding economy" as figures for 2004 reflect an upsurge in direct travel spending, said the California Travel and Tourism Commission (CTTC).

Total spending in California from visitors was $82.5 billion in 2004, an increase of 7.4% from 2003 and the largest gain since 2000, the agency said, 

An upswing in 2005 visitor numbers, with travel to and through California during the spring and summer is forecasted to increase 2.9% and 3.5%, respectively.

According to a report compiled by Dean Runyan Associates for the CTTC, air travel played a pivotal role in the increase as there were 31.6 million domestic air passenger visitor arrivals to California last year, up 17% from 2003.

International visitor spending, it said, comprised more than 15% of all travel spending.

On the work front, travel spending directly supported 892,600 jobs (up 2.5% from 2003), earning businesses and employees $26.5 billion. Jobs positively affected by travel are: food service (261,500 jobs); arts, entertainment and recreation (220,500 jobs); and accommodations (192,200 jobs).

The report also estimated that a travel-related job was generated for every $92,400 in direct travel spending.

Nearly $13 billion was spent on accommodations, comprising 17% of all destination spending by visitors, it said.

Local governments generated $1.9 billion in taxes from travel spending while the state saw $3.3 billion in revenues. For every $100 of travel spending in 2004, $32.13 was generated in earnings, $2.33 in local taxes and $3.97 in state taxes.

The full report - California Travel Impacts by County, 1992-2003; 2004 Preliminary State Estimates - is available online at www.visitcalifornia.com.

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