International Visitation Saw An Increase Almost Reaching 2019 Levels While Lodging Was The Biggest Revenue Source From Tourism.
By Zach Armstrong
The amount of visitors in Santa Monica almost doubled last year to about 5,320,500 with annual tourist spending having gone up nearly 30% at more than $961 million, the Santa Monica Daily Press reported.
While still below levels seen in 2019, international visitation saw an increase from 9.2% in 2021 to 21% in 2022. International visitors have played a large role in the city’s tourism market, making up a 50% share of total visitation. International visitors typically play an important role in any tourism market because they stay longer, stay overnight and do more local activities.
Lodging was the primary revenue source for Santa Monica tourism standing at just under $500 million.
The numbers were shared at the Santa Monica Travel and Tourism’s annual summit with local business owners, government officials and community members in attendance. City Manager David White pointed out that quality hotels play an important role for local tourism, highlighting some renovation and rebranding projects in the city. Santa Monica Mayor Gleam Davis said that each household in the city would have to contribute at least $1,400 to Santa Monica if it wasn’t for tourism.