HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4a. National Tourism Week and CA Tourism Month Proclamation
Whereas, tourism is an economic powerhouse for every state and destination across the country,
with an output of $2.6 trillion in 2022, supporting 14.5 million American jobs; and
Whereas, visitors spent $135 billion in California in 2022, bringing the state 93% of the way back to
pre-pandemic levels; and
Whereas, travel enables success for all industries—including manufacturing, agriculture,
healthcare and more—by driving sales growth, innovation, education and operations that move our
economy; and
Whereas, tourism plays a critical role here in the City of San Luis Obispo and the state of California’s
economic prosperity; and
Whereas, the vision for the future of tourism in San Luis Obispo is a welcoming community with a
vibrant economy that enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike; and
Whereas, the City of San Luis Obispo’s tourism tax revenue has increased 77% since 2020, includ ing
a record-breaking $10.6 million in 2022; 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 economic impact from tourism remains vital to our community’s continued
recovery; 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 economic power of 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 week of May 7-13, 2023 as “National Travel and Tourism Week” and the
month of May 2023 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.
NATIONAL TOURISM WEEK AND
CALIFORNIA TOURISM MONTH
May 2, 2023
Mayor Date