TOURISM EMPLOYMENT GROWS TO HIGHEST LEVEL IN AT LEAST 15 YEARS
Visitors traveling to San Bernardino County for recreation and business generate revenue and jobs for the local economy. Hotels, shops, restaurants, recreation areas, and entertainment venues benefit substantially from the tourism market. Moreover, residents benefit from tax revenue generated by visitor spending. This indicator measures visitor spending on accommodations, food, recreation, retail products, and travel arrangements, as well as tax revenue generated within the county from visitor spending.
TREND
In 2023, visitor spending in San Bernardino County totaled $6.51 billion, which represents 18% growth in visitor spending since 2009 (in inflation-adjusted dollars).[1] The $6.51 billion in spending represents a 38% growth since 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic-related shutdowns greatly impacted the tourism industry.
Tourism-related tax receipts have increased in step with visitor spending, growing to $493.00 million in 2023 from $422.10 million in 2009 (in inflation-adjusted dollars).
VISITOR SPENDING AND TAX RECEIPTS RECOVER FROM PANDEMIC LOWS
Visitor Spending and Tourism-Related Tax Receipts in San Bernardino County, 2009-2023 (Adjusted for inflation)
Employment in the tourism industry has recovered from the pandemic-induced contraction in the industry. There were 61,170 tourism-related jobs in 2023, up 35% from both 2009 and 2020.
TOURISM EMPLOYMENT CONTINUES TO INCREASE
Tourism Employment in San Bernardino County, 2009-2023
GEOGRAPHIC DETAIL
San Bernardino County’s per capita tax-related receipts were $227 per resident in 2023. This is the lowest per capita tax receipts among the southern California counties compared.
San Bernardino County’s share of total California tourism earnings was 5.3% in 2023.
LOWEST PER-CAPITA TAX RECEIPTS AMONG NEIGHBORING COUNTIES COMPARED
Per Capita Tourism-Related Tax Receipts, County Comparison, 2023
[1] Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI Inflation Calculator (January 2009 to January 2023)