HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4c - National Tourism Month ProclamationWHEREAS, Tourism plays a critical role in the City of San Luis obispo and the state of
California’s economic prosperity; and
WHEREAS, The COVID-19 pandemic devastated every sector of the travel industry with
staggering economic impacts, affecting every California community, including San Luis
Obispo; and
WHEREAS, California lost $79.8 billion dollars in visitor spending in 2020, a 55-percent
decline from the previous year; and
WHEREAS, in 2020, San Luis Obispo experienced a 40-percent decline in transient
occupancy tax revenues and 21-percent dip in occupancy rates; and
WHEREAS, Nearly one million Californians working in hospitality lost their jobs in the
first month of the pandemic, and the employment sector remains by far the hardest hit in
California.
WHEREAS, the statewide tourism began its recovery in 2021 but remains far short of the
pre-pandemic levels; and
WHEREAS, the economic impact from tourism remains vital to our community recovery;
and
WHEREAS, San Luis Obispo’s tourism tax revenue has increased 69-percent since 2020,
including a record breaking $1.2 million dollars just in July 2021; and
WHEREAS, the transient occupancy tax revenue contributes 10-percent of the City’s
general fund which pays for community benefits like infrastructure projects and quality
of life experiences like access to open space; and
WHEREAS, the travel industry cannot fully recover without the full return of leisure
and business travel, meetings and events, by both domestic and international visitors; and
WHEREAS, the California Legislature in 2016 declared every May as California Tourism
Month to celebrate the positive economic impact of the tourism in California; and
WHEREAS, welcoming visitors from near and far always has been, and always will be, the
enduring ethos of the travel industry in San Luis Obispo and throughout California.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Erica A. Stewart, Mayor of the City of San Luis Obispo, on behalf of the
entire City Council, hereby proclaim the month of May 2022 as “California tourism month” in
San Luis obispo and urge our citizens to join me in recognizing the critical role this industry
plays in our community and state.
CALIFORNIA TOURISM MONTH
MAY 2022
Mayor Date
05/03/2022