May 4, 2016 — Napa, CA – Visitors to Napa Valley spent a record $1.27 billion in the county in 2015, which represents an 8.9 percent increase over 2014 and the highest percentage gain of all of California’s 58 counties, according to the 2015 Economic Impact report released on May 2, 2016 by Visit California. The report, released during National Travel and Tourism Week May 1 -7, finds that travel spending is a leading source of employment opportunities for local residents and tax revenue for local governments. Produced in partnership by Dean Runyan Associates, the report is an update from preliminary findings released in February at Visit California’s 2016 Outlook Forum.
“Tourism is a significant and growing piece of the Bay Area’s economy,” said Visit California President and CEO Caroline Beteta. “As we celebrate National Travel and Tourism week, it is important to keep the continued success of the travel industry top-of-mind as a source of benefits for the entire community.”
Visitor spending supported 13,680 jobs in the Napa Valley and generated $116 million in tax revenue. “According to the report, the number of jobs related to and supported by tourism has increased by 3.7 percent from 2014,” adds Clay Gregory, president and CEO of Visit Napa Valley. “These figures prove that the travel and tourism industry is an extremely powerful economic driver for the Napa Valley and Visit Napa Valley will continue its efforts to target ‘need periods’ through our marketing and sales efforts.”
The report also indicates that the highest percentage of visitor spending in 2015 was for accommodations, with $355 million, which is an increase of 15 percent from 2014. This is followed by food service with $331 million, an increase of 10 percent from 2014, and retail sales of $224 million, an increase of 7 percent from 2014.
Visit California is a statewide organization that works with local partners across the state to develop and implement innovative global marketing programs that instill a desire for the California Dream and attract visitors to the state. This work plays an important role in growing Napa Valley’s tourism economy, as sustained messaging to potential visitors is essential to attracting travelers and enticing them to return to create new experiences. Access the report “California Travel Impacts by County, 1992-2014, 2015 Preliminary State & Regional Estimates,” and see a breakdown of all the data statewide by visiting http://industry.visitcalifornia.com/impacts.
Visit California is a nonprofit organization with a mission to develop and maintain marketing programs, in partnership with the state’s travel industry, that keep California top-of-mind as a premier travel destination. According to Visit California, travel and tourism expenditures totaled $122.6 billion in 2015 in California, supporting jobs for 1,063,000 Californians and generating $ 9.9 billion in state and local tax revenues. For more information about Visit California and for a free California Official State Visitor’s Guide, go to www.VisitCalifornia.com. Follow Visit California on Twitter at @VisitCANews.
About Visit Napa Valley
Visit Napa Valley is the official tourism marketing organization for the Napa Valley, with a mission to promote, protect and enhance the region’s position as one of the world’s premier wine, food, arts and wellness destinations. The area, known for its legendary hospitality, is also internationally recognized as one of only eight “Great Wine Capitals” and has more Michelin Stars per capita than any other wine region in the world.
The Napa Valley, conveniently located just an hour from the San Francisco Bay Area, consists of the following distinctive towns, including, from north to south, Calistoga, St. Helena, Rutherford/Oakville, Yountville, the city of Napa, American Canyon, and the outdoor recreation area of Lake Berryessa.
The Napa Valley Welcome Center, located at 600 Main St. along the riverfront in downtown Napa, provides visitors with expert Concierge services from Napa Valley Ambassadors who offer complimentary Napa Valley Guidebooks, maps, brochures and winery tasting passes. The Welcome Center, open daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., also offers complimentary Wi-Fi and a mercantile shop featuring locally sourced gift items.
For additional information on the Napa Valley, or to plan your Napa Valley experience, please explore www.VisitNapaValley.com, join “The Napa Valley” on Facebook, and follow @VisitNapaValley on Twitter.
