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Anaheim/Orange County 2008 Visitor Figures TalliedTourism Industry Feels Economic Slowdown
Anaheim, Calif. (January 21, 2009) - The Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau reports that 2008 visitor numbers reflected slightly lower figures than recent years. CIC Research preliminary end-of-the-year figures indicate that 43.1 million visitors came to the region (down 2.8% from 2007) and spent $7.89 billion dollars (down 4.9% from 2007).
Skip Hull, Vice President of CIC Research said, " I see a significant challenge for the tourism industry in 2009 as our national economy continues to contract. Visitors from close drive markets throughout Southern California and neighboring states will become even more important to Anaheim and Orange County's visitor mix until an anticipated economic recovery takes hold in 2010.”
Orange County is located in the center of the populous Southern California region, and continues to attract more than 60% of its overnight leisure visitors from the western portion of the United States. Additionally, the local area is gaining international travelers, as they now make up approximately 10% of Anaheim/Orange County’s annual overnight tourism market. These international travelers traditionally stay in the region longer and spend more money during their stay.
The convention and meetings market is also a large factor in the success for the area's visitor industry. Anaheim has the largest convention center on the West Coast and consistently draws more than one million convention delegates and meeting attendees annually. The area’s hotel base includes an inventory of more than 55,000 guest rooms in Orange County with nearly 23,000 in the Anaheim area. The AOCVCB projects that 2009 will be a good year for meetings, and kicked off 2009 with the ever-popular music industry show NAMM, bringing in over 80,000 visitors to Anaheim.
Charles Ahlers, president of the Anaheim Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau stated, "Considering the global financial and economic issues of 2008, our local visitor business faired reasonably well. We don’t anticipate any dramatic drops in 2009’s visitor numbers, and we remain confident that our resilient destination will weather the challenges ahead.” The major visitor spending categories and visitor demographics are as follows:
2008 preliminary visitor spending categories: (includes day and overnight visitors to OC) 30% Meals & Beverages
26% Lodging
23% Shopping
12% Attractions/Entertainment
5% Transportation
4% Other/Misc
100% Total
Area of Residence: (All visitors to OC - preliminary 2008)
56% Southern California
9% Northern California
15% Rest of Western U.S.
6% Southern U.S.
4% Midwestern U.S.
3% Northeastern U.S.
7% International Visitors
100% Total
Source: CIC Research, Inc., "Preliminary 2008 O.C. Visitor Survey."
Home to renowned beaches, world-famous theme parks and attractions, exciting professional sports, unique shopping, arts and cultural events, and award-winning restaurants, Southern California’s Anaheim/Orange County is a blend of sights and experiences complemented by warm sunshine. For more information about Anaheim/Orange County, visit anaheimoc.org or call 714/765-8888.
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