Anaheim, Calif. (January 29, 2008) - The
Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau reports that 2007 visitor
spending hit a record-breaking $8.3 billion. According to CIC Research
preliminary end-of-the year figures indicate that visitor spending increased
nearly 4% for the year. The volume of visitors to the Anaheim and Orange County
area dropped slightly to 44.4 million people for 2007 (from a peak of 44.9
million in 2006), but a little bit of softness in visitor volume was expected
following the Disney 50th year celebration and promotion.
Skip Hull, Vice President of
CIC Research said, "although the U.S. economy has stumbled a little in recent
months, the Orange County visitor spending numbers for 2007 reflected the
industry's strong hotel revenue performance — up more than 8% through November.
We expect a more modest growth in visitor spending in 2008."
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.
International visitors make up 1 0% of Orange County's annual overnight tourism
market. These visitors traditionally stay in a destination longer and spend more
money during their stay.
During 2007, Anaheim was the
host city of Travel Industry Association's premier international tourism
tradeshow "Pow Wow." During Pow Wow more than 5,000 buyers, sellers and
international media experienced this destination for the first time. According
to TIA the host city's return on investment is $3 million in future business in
the 3-5 years following Pow Wow.
Business travel is also a
large factor in the success for the area's visitor industry. Anaheim has the
largest convention center in the West Coast and consistently draws more than one
million convention delegates and meeting attendees annually. The area's hotel
base is also very strong and has an inventory of more than 55,000 guest rooms in
Orange County with nearly 20,000 in the Anaheim area alone. The average hotel
occupancy in Anaheim/Orange County is 70% annually.
Charles Ahlers, president of
the Anaheim Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau stated, "2007 was a
milestone year for our destination in terms of achieving international
attention. We are working toward keeping the spotlight shining on Anaheim and
Orange County this year, as new entertainment, dining, meeting space and hotels
are developed and enhanced.
" The major visitor spending
categories and visitor demographics are as follows:
Spending
Categories: ($74/day: including 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 - Prel.
2007)
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 2007
O.C. Visitor Survey."
