Oceanside, Calif. (May 25, 2022) Tourism recovery in Oceanside has been swift with 2021 visitor spending and tax revenues surpassing even pre-pandemic levels, according to a recent visitor industry survey by Dean Runyan Associates. Visitor spending benefits local businesses while tax revenues bolster the City of Oceanside’s general fund, which is critical to funding essential services such as public safety, parks, street improvements, homeless outreach and more.
“Oceanside is bursting with creativity and innovation on all levels, and the Dean Runyan data shows that this is really resonating with visitors,” says Leslee Gaul, CEO of Visit Oceanside. “Dining and accommodations showed significant gains in travel spending, which speaks to the exciting, continued growth in both of these sectors.”
In the last year, Oceanside welcomed the opening of two, new flagship beach resorts and several new chic boutique hotels. The dining scene also continued to create a buzz with popular new venues from high-end dining like Matsu and Valle to specialty shops like High Pie at The Top Gun House.
According to the industry survey, all of Oceanside’s 2021 tourism economic metrics showed significant gains over 2020. Even more significant, many of the metrics also outperformed the record levels set in 2019, the benchmark for pre-Covid travel. And, although Oceanside hosted fewer visitors in 2021 than in 2019, those who visited spent more and stayed longer.
“Increased revenues and spending despite fewer visitors show that our focus on smart tourism growth is working,” says Gaul. “Visit Oceanside’s sustainable tourism approach is about reaching the quality visitor, who wants to immerse themselves in the destination and appreciates all it has to offer from dining to culture and recreation.”
Caption: Oceanside Mayor Esther Sanchez throws out the first beach ball of summer at Visit Oceanside’s annual Tourism Summit.
Highlights in the report included:
Oceanside recovery has significantly outpaced statewide gains. While California’s overall travel industry increased 46 percent over 2020, Oceanside’s travel economy grew by 68 percent during the same period.
Travel spending in Oceanside was $507.5 million in 2021, up 68.1 percent from 2020 and a 7.3 percent increase from $419 million set in 2019.
Tax receipts generated by travel spending were $34.2 million, up 70.2 percent compared to 2020 and above the 2019 record of $26.8 million.
Travel spending in all categories was up with the restaurant industry registering the largest gain of $60.5 million over 2020, a 66.1 percent increase. Accommodations travel spending was $54 million more than 2020.
Direct travel-generated employment gained approximately 470 jobs, a 15.8 percent increase over 2020. Employment continues to be shy of 2019 levels by approximately 100 jobs.
Visit Oceanside shared details of the tourism survey at its recent 2022 Annual Tourism Summit held on May 24 at the Brooks Theatre. In keeping with tradition, Mayor Esther Sanchez tossed out a beach ball to kick off the summer season. Congressman Mike Levin and Visit California CEO Caroline Beteta spoke during the program, and Visit Oceanside presented its annual tourism awards. The awards included:
“Respect the O’riginals” Award:
Zell Dwelley, Beach Break Café
Charlie Anderson, Privateer Coal Fired Pizza/ Marketplace & Wine Bar
The Aldrich Family, The Brick Hotel
California Welcome Center Volunteer of the Year: Dot Raulston
Visit Oceanside Brand Partners of the Year: City of Oceanside
Lodging Partner of the Year: Tyler Garcia, The Seabird Resort/Mission Pacific Hotel
Local Champion For Tourism Impact: Genentech Oceanside
Industry Partner of the Year: Carla Mitroff, Oceanside Adventures
MiraCosta College Hospitality Scholarships: Ashlynn Luna and Isabella M. Moreno Arellano
About Visit Oceanside
Visit Oceanside Conference and Visitors Bureau is the official tourism marketing organization in Oceanside, Calif; promoting travel to the city for both leisure and group visitors. The organization influences about one-third of the $415 million that is generated by visitor spending in Oceanside each year, which supports nearly 3,500 jobs. Visit Oceanside also operates one of the state’s official California Welcome Centers. With just one stop, visitors can find local, regional and state maps, purchase discount tickets to major Southern California attractions, make hotel reservations or shop for the perfect California keepsake. The Visit Oceanside CVB and California Welcome Center- Oceanside are conveniently located just off Interstate 5 at 928 North Coast Highway. For more information, please call (800) 350-7873 or visit www.visitoceanside.org
