International Press

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What's New in CA Winter 2008-09 (German)

 What's New in CA Winter 2008-09 (Portuguese)

General California Facts and Stats

The multi-billion dollar travel industry in California is a vital part of the state and local economies. The industry is represented primarily by retail and service firms, including lodging establishments, restaurants, retail stores, gasoline service stations, and other types of businesses that sell their products and services to travelers. The money that visitors spend on various goods and services while in California produces business receipts at these firms, which in turn employ California residents and pay their wages and salaries. State and local government units benefit from travel as well. The state government collects taxes on the gross receipts of businesses operating in the state, as well as sales and use taxes levied on the sale of goods and services to travelers. Local governments also collect sales and use taxes generated from traveler purchases.

Impacts of travel in California: a summary

• Total direct travel spending in California was $96.7 billion in 2007. Travel spending increased by 3.6 percent over the preceding year.

• A substantial share of the increase in travel spending was due to higher room rates and gasoline prices. Inflation-adjusted (constant dollar) travel spending increased by 0.4 percent from 2006 to 2007.

• During 2007, travel spending in California directly supported 924,100 jobs with earnings of $30.0 billion. Travel spending generated the greatest number of jobs in arts, entertainment and recreation (226,500 jobs), and accommodation and food services (534,000).

• 31.9 million Visitors traveled to and through California on U.S. carriers in 2007.

 • Air travel on domestic flights increased by 3.5 percent over 2006.

• Over 17 percent of all travel spending in the state in 2007 was attributable to international travel.

•Overseas arrivals at Los Angeles and San Francisco increased by 7.5 percent (3.6 million arrivals) from 2006 to 2007.

• Visitors that stayed overnight in paid accommodations spent $51.0 billion in 2007, or 57 percent of all visitor spending in the state.

• Travel spending in 2007 generated $2.2 billion in local taxes and $3.6 billion in state taxes.

• In 2007, one hundred dollars ($100) of travel spending generated $31.05 of earnings, $2.23 of local tax revenue, and $3.74 of state tax revenue.

• In 2007, the amount of travel spending that supported one job in travel-related businesses was $104,600.

Major Countries Impact Breakdown

Impact of Australian Visitors to California

Australia was California’s third largest overseas market with approximately 333,000 visitors to California in 2007.  Collectively visitors from Australia spent approximately $321 million in California.

Australian visitors to California during 2007 reported spending $119 per day during an 8.1 night average stay or approximately $964 per visitor. The average spending for all overseas visitors to California was about $1,166 ($111 per day; 10.5 nights in California).

The volume of visitors to California from Australia was relatively flat throughout the decade of the 1990s, ranging from 260,000 to about 290,000 each year.  Visitation from Australia peaked in 2000 at 328,000, but then dropped to a low of 199,000 in 2002 (post 9-11).  The volume of Australian visitors to California has experienced strong recovery since 2003 and reached a record 333,000 visitors in 2007.

Compared to all overseas visitors to California, travelers from Australia are more likely to:

• Travel to California for leisure/recreation/holiday purposes
• Make use of a travel agency as a trip planning source and means of booking air trip
• Have a decidedly longer trip planning and advance airline booking horizon
• Mention airfare as a main factor in selecting an airline
• Travel with a spouse
• Stay longer in the U.S.
• Be on their first trip to the U.S.
• Visit Las Vegas, New York City, and Anaheim while in the U.S.
• Experience leisure-oriented activities
• Make use of a taxi/limousine, airlines in the U. S., city subway/tram/bus, as well as the bus between cities as means of transportation while in the U.S.

Conversely, visitors from Australia are less likely to:

• Make use of a corporate travel department as a trip planning source
• Travel to California for business purposes
• Travel with business associates
• Use credit cards to pay for trip expenses

For a detailed report on Australian travel to California please click here 

 

Impact of German Visitors to California

Germany was California’s fifth largest overseas market with approximately 322,000 visitors to California in 2007.  Collectively visitors from Germany spent approximately $355 million in California. German visitors to California during 2007 reported spending $95 per day during an 11.6 night average stay or approximately $1,102 per visitor. The average spending for all overseas visitors to California was about $1,166 ($111 per day; 10.5 nights in California).

Comparisons with Overseas Visitors

Detailed trip and traveler characteristics of visitors from Germany are provided in the following table.  The table also includes trip and traveler characteristics of all overseas visitors to California for comparative purposes.

Compared to all overseas visitors to California, travelers from Germany are more likely to:

• Make use of a state/city travel office, travel guides and personal computers when planning their trip
• Have longer trip planning and advance airline booking horizons
• Visit historical places, national parks, tour the countryside, and visit cultural heritage sites
• Rent an auto for transportation while in the U.S.
• Use credit cards to pay for trip expenses
• Have a lower average annual household income

Conversely, visitors from Germany are less likely to:

• Make use of a travel agent when planning their trip
• Visit Los Angeles as part of their trip
• Make use of a taxi/limousine for transportation while in the U.S.
• Use cash to pay for trip expenses

For a detailed report on German travel to California please click here 

 

Impact of Japanese Visitors to California

Japan was California’s second largest overseas market with approximately 675,000 visitors to California in 2007 (U.K. = 765,000).  Collectively visitors from Japan spent approximately $842 million in California (U.K. = $875 million).

Japanese visitors to California during 2007 reported spending $162 per day during a 7.7 night average stay or approximately $1,247 per visitor. The average spending for all overseas visitors to California was about $1,166 ($111 per day; 10.5 nights in California).

Comparisons with Overseas Visitors

Detailed trip and traveler characteristics of visitors from Japan are provided in the following table.  The table also includes trip and traveler characteristics of all overseas visitors to California for comparative purposes.

Compared to all overseas visitors to California, travelers from Japan are more likely to:

• Travel to California for business purposes
• Have decidedly lower trip planning and advance airline booking horizons
• Select an airline due to the Mileage Bonus/Frequent Flyer Program
• Mention airline loyalty as a main factor in selecting an airline
• Travel in executive or business class
• Travel with business associates
• Stay in hotels and other forms of paid lodging
• Stay less time in the U.S. and California
• Spend a higher percentage of their travel dollar on lodging
• Use credit cards to pay for trip expenses

Conversely, visitors from Japan are less likely to:

• Travel to California for leisure/recreation/holiday purposes
• Mention airfare as a main factor in selecting an airline
• Travel in economy/tourist/coach class
• Visit Las Vegas and San Francisco as part of their trip
• Experience activities that are more leisure-oriented, such as visiting amusement/theme parks, national parks, the countryside, art galleries and museums

For a detailed report on Japanese travel please click here

 

Impact of Mexican Visitors to California

Air travelers from Mexico represent one of the largest international markets for California with approximately 428,000 visitors to the state in 2007.  Collectively visitors from Mexico arriving in the U.S. by air spent approximately $389 million in California.
Mexican visitors to California by air during 2007 reported spending $115 per day during a 7.9 night average stay or approximately $909 per visitor. The average spending for all overseas visitors to California was about $1,166 ($111 per day; 10.5 nights in California).

Comparisons with Overseas Visitors

Detailed trip and traveler characteristics of visitors from Mexico by air are provided in the following table.  The table also includes trip and traveler characteristics of all overseas visitors to California for comparative purposes.

Compared to all overseas visitors to California, travelers from Mexico by air are more likely to:

• Travel to California to visit friends or relatives
• Plan their trip with information from friends or relatives
• Have decidedly lower trip planning and advance airline booking horizons
• Book their flight using a personal computer
• Select an airline due to airfare and due to a non-stop flight
• Stay in a private home
• Have a shorter length of stay in the U.S.
• Visit amusement or theme parks
• Spend a lower percentage of their travel dollar on lodging
• Spend a higher percentage of their travel dollar on gifts/souvenirs
• Use cash to pay for trip expenses
• Have a lower average household income

Conversely, visitors from Mexico by air are less likely to:

• Travel to California for business/professional purposes
• Use a travel agent to plan their trip
• Select an airline due to the mileage bonus/frequent flyer program
• Stay in a hotel or other paid lodging
• Be on their first trip to the U.S.
• Travel to out-of-state destinations such as New York City and Las Vegas
• Travel to Northern California destinations such as San Francisco
• Experience many activities such as dining out, sightseeing in cities, visiting national parks, the countryside, cultural heritage sites, casinos, art galleries and museums, and going on guided tours
• Use airlines, taxis/limousines, or city subway/tram/bus for transportation while in the U.S.
• Use credit cards to pay for trip expenses

For a detailed report on Mexican travel to California please click here

 

Impact of South Korean Visitors to California

South Korea was California’s fourth largest overseas markets with approximately 331,000 visitors to California in 2007.  Collectively visitors from South Korea spent approximately $405 million in California.

South Korean visitors to California during 2007 reported spending $101 per day during a 12.1 night average stay or approximately $1,222 per visitor. The average spending for all overseas visitors to California was about $1,166 ($111 per day; 10.5 nights in California).

Comparisons with Overseas Visitors

Detailed trip and traveler characteristics of visitors from South Korea are provided in the following table.  The table also includes trip and traveler characteristics of all overseas visitors to California for comparative purposes.

Compared to all overseas visitors to California, travelers from South Korea are more likely to:

• Use a travel agent to book an air trip
• Choose an airline because of a mileage bonus/frequent flyer program
• Have shorter trip planning and advance airline booking horizons
• Use a travel package
• Travel with business associates
• Use a company or private auto for transportation while in the U.S.
• Pay cash for trip expenses

Conversely, visitors from South Korea are less likely to:

• Travel to California for leisure/recreation/holiday purposes
• Travel alone
• Experience activities such as dining out, visiting historical places and visiting small towns
• Use airlines or a taxi/limousine for transportation while in the U.S.

For a detailed report on South Korean travel to California please click here

Impact of United Kingdom’s Visitors to California

The UK was California’s largest overseas market with approximately 765,000 visitors to California in 2007.  Collectively, visitors from the UK spent approximately $875 million in California. 

UK visitors to California during 2007 reported spending $123 per day during a 9.3 night average stay or approximately $1,144 per visitor. The average spending for all overseas visitors to California was about $1,166 ($111 per day; 10.5 nights in California).

In 2002 the UK passed Japan to become the largest origin market for overseas visitors to California.  The UK was ranked the number one overseas market to California each year since 2002, but has not recovered to the 1998 peak of 843,000 visitors to the state.

Comparisons with Overseas Visitors

Detailed trip and traveler characteristics of visitors from the UK are provided in the following table.  The table also includes trip and traveler characteristics of all overseas visitors to California for comparative purposes.

Compared to all overseas visitors to California, travelers from the UK are more likely to:

• Travel to California for leisure/recreation/holiday purposes
• Make use of a personal computer as a trip planning aid and means of booking their air trip
• Have a decidedly longer trip planning and advance airline booking horizon
• Mention previous experience as a main factor in selecting an airline
• Make use of a travel package
• Travel with a spouse
• Stay in hotels and other forms of paid lodging
• Stay less time in the U.S.
• Experience most leisure-oriented activities while in the U.S. 
• Have a higher average annual household income

Conversely, visitors from the UK are less likely to:

• Travel to California for business purposes
• Make use of a travel agency as a trip planning aid and means of booking their air trip
• Be on their first trip to the U.S.
• Visit Los Angeles as part of their trip
• Use credit cards to pay for trip expenses

For a detailed report on United Kingdom’s travel to California please click here

Impact of Chinese Visitors to California

China was California’s seventh largest overseas market with approximately 227,000 visitors to California in 2007.1 Collectively, visitors from China spent about $327 million in California.
 
The volume of visitors to the U.S. and California from the People’s Republic of China was less than 25,000 in 1988.  By the year 2000 there were nearly one-quarter million Chinese visitors to the U.S. and about 60% of these visitors were coming to California.  However, in the post 9-11 period Chinese visitation dropped 55% to a low of 71,000 visitors to California in 2003.  Chinese visitor volumes to California have recorded very strong growth each year since 2003, reaching a record 227,000 visitors to the state in 2007.

Comparisons with Overseas Visitors

Detailed trip and traveler characteristics of visitors from China are provided in the following table.  The table also includes trip and traveler characteristics of all overseas visitors to California for comparative purposes.

Compared to all overseas visitors to California, travelers from China are more likely to:

• Travel to California for business purposes
• Make use of a corporate travel department as a trip planning aid and means of booking their air trip
• Have a decidedly shorter  trip planning and advance airline booking horizon
• Select an airline due to the non-stop flight option
• Make use of a travel package
• Travel with business associates
• Stay longer in the U.S.
• Be on their first trip to the U.S.
• Visit Los Angeles, New York City or the DC Metro area as part of their trip
• Make use of airlines within the U.S. and company/private autos
• Have a lower average annual household income
• Spend a higher percentage of their travel dollar on gifts/souvenirs and transportation in the U.S.
• Spend a lower percentage of their travel dollar on lodging and food/beverages

Conversely, visitors from China are less likely to:

• Travel to California for leisure/recreation/holiday purposes
• Make use of a personal computer as a trip planning aid and means of booking their air trip
• Travel with a spouse or family/relatives
• Make use of a taxi/limousine while in the U.S.

For a detailed report on Chinese travel to California please click here

 

Impact of India’s Visitors to California

India was one of California’s large overseas markets with approximately 176,000 visitors to California in 2007.  Collectively visitors from India spent approximately $220 million in California.

Indian visitors to California during 2007 reported spending $61 per day during a 20.5 night average stay or approximately $1,251 per visitor. The average spending for all overseas visitors to California was about $1,166
Since the middle of the 1990s India has grown dramatically as a source of visitors to California from just 41,000 to 176,000 visitors.  Visitation to California from India dipped in 2002 to 87,000 down from the previous year’s high of 119,000.  However, the ongoing large increases in annual visitor volume to the U.S. from India and a slight increase in California’s market share of those visitors in the last three years have resulted in a record high of 176,000 visitors in 2007.

Comparisons with Overseas Visitors

Detailed trip and traveler characteristics of visitors from India are provided in the following table.  The table also includes trip and traveler characteristics of all overseas visitors to California for comparative purposes.

Compared to all overseas visitors to California, travelers from India are more likely to:

• Travel to California for business purposes
• Use a travel agent or a corporate travel department for trip planning and booking an air trip
• Have shorter trip planning and advance airline booking horizons
• Travel alone
• Stay in a private home
• Visit the U.S. and California for a lengthy stay
• Visit San Francisco, San Jose, and Chicago
• Spend a higher percentage of their travel dollar on transportation in the U.S.
• Have a lower average annual household income

Conversely, visitors from India are less likely to:

• Travel to California for leisure/recreation/holiday purposes
• Use a personal computer or information from airlines to plan their trip
• Make use of a travel package
• Travel with family or relatives
• Stay in a hotel or other paid lodging
• Visit Los Angeles
• Visit small towns, national parks, or cultural heritage sites
• Rent an auto or use a company/private auto for transportation while in the U.S.
• Use credit cards to pay for trip expenses

For a detailed report on Indian travel to California please click here