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Business Journals
12-05-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Visit Oakland celebrates $779M economic impact from tourism in 2024
Visit Oakland, the destination marketing organization for the city of Oakland, hosted IMPACT 510: The Town Tourism Day on May 7 at the Oakland Museum of California. The sold-out event welcomed 250 attendees including community partners, city officials, and business leaders to celebrate the 2024 results. Last year, the total tourism economic impact was $779 million, and visitors supported a total of $583 million in spending in Oakland. Of the $583 million spent in Oakland in 2024 by visitors, lodging accounted for $174 million, or 30% of the total visitor spending. Food and beverage spending resulted in $160 million, representing 27% of the total spend. Transportation, including both air and ground transportation within the destination, as well as retail, captured $97 million of total visitor spending. In 2024, visitors spent $56 million on recreation and entertainment. Oakland saw a 4% increase in day trips to the city. The team at Visit Oakland is focused on converting day trips into overnight stays to increase the economic impact. This commitment comes at a critical time as the travel landscape continues to face unprecedented challenges. 'This is an extremely important time in the travel and tourism industry,' said Peter Gamez, president and CEO for Visit Oakland. 'We are experiencing change on a national level that directly impacts Oakland locally. Our results show the significance that tourism brings to The Town. It is crucial that Oakland leadership work closely with Visit Oakland and continues to recognize and support the value of marketing our city to further the growth of our tourism economy.' In true Oakland style, IMPACT 510 - The Town Tourism Day was about more than just the successful numbers. Visit Oakland presented an event that shared the value of tourism and uplifted the community. The name Impact 510 pays tribute to Oakland's 510 area code. The date of the event was selected in support of California Tourism Month, and to align with National Travel and Tourism Week. expand Visit Oakland 'Oakland is a city that proudly celebrates its diverse arts and culture, amazing attractions, and award-winning culinary scene' said Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California, the state's nonprofit tourism marketing organization. 'Visit Oakland does a wonderful job highlighting these assets to attract visitors to Oakland, produce vibrancy in The Town, and directly impact the city's economic success.' The energy in the room was powerful and showed the unity of Oakland. Program elements included an engaging presentation by Gamez and an Oakland's Bright Future panel discussion featuring Edreece Arghandiwal, co-founder and chief marketing officer, Oakland Roots SC and Oakland Soul SC; Joe Ernst, principal, srmErnst Development Partners and Prescott Market; Mieko Hatano, CEO, Oakland Symphony; and Kymberly Miller, CEO, Children's Fairyland. Honorable Mayor Barbara Lee was a guest speaker addressing the Oakland community at one of her first public events since winning the election. The master of ceremonies was Autumn King, host of Trail Chats. Live entertainment brought an inspiring performance by the Oakland Symphony and DJ Lady Ryan played music that matched The Town's vibrancy. A call to action closed the event — Gamez recognized individuals from the restaurant and hospitality communities to remind everyone support local businesses. It was powerful moment honoring the people of Oakland, who remain the true heart and soul of The Town. 'We challenged everyone to make this a summer to remember and share their love of Oakland by telling their family, friends and colleagues to plan a day in Oakland visiting our attractions, dining in our restaurants, shopping in our stores, and staying the night in our hotels' Gamez said. 'I know the power of the people in our community, and they can help make a positive impact on our local businesses, our attractions, and our economy.' expand Visit Oakland Visitor spending impact In 2024, 3.4 million visitors spent $583 million across the Oakland economy. The Oakland visitor economy experienced a 0.2% decline in visitor spending from 2023. Total economic impact Direct visitor spending of $583 million generated a total economic impact of $779 million in Oakland in 2024, including indirect and induced impacts. This total economic impact sustained 5,548 jobs and generated $85 million in state and local tax revenues in 2024. Visit Oakland is the official destination marketing organization for Oakland. Their mission is to increase tourism's economic impact to the city of Oakland through destination development. The team at Visit Oakland elevates, celebrates, and illuminates Oakland in all its vibrancy. They do this by promoting Oakland on a regional, national, and international level to increase positive awareness and attract visitors and group business to The Town. Visit Oakland also does this by supporting and promoting programs and events in Oakland that are open to the public and interesting to visitors. Visit Oakland is a nonprofit organization funded by hotel occupancy tax and Measure C along with other community partners. This means that every time someone stays in an Oakland Tourism Business Improvement District hotel, 2% of the room rate per night goes towards funding Visit Oakland's marketing efforts. Tourism is essential to the success of a city. When people visit for leisure or corporate travel, they utilize the Oakland airport and transportation systems. Those visitors also stay in Oakland's hotels, shop at the local stores, dine in the restaurants, and visit local attractions. This generates revenue for Oakland businesses and creates positive energy throughout The Town's community.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Governor hikes to Manitou Falls
May 6—SUPERIOR — Tourism is a $25 billion industry in Wisconsin, according to the most recent figures available. To kick off National Travel and Tourism Week, Gov. Tony Evers and Wisconsin Tourism Secretary Anne Sayers headed north Monday, May 5, for stops at the Wisconsin Logging Museum in Eau Claire and a hike to Wisconsin's tallest waterfall in Pattison State Park. Manitou Falls is a few feet shorter than Niagara Falls, Gervase Thompson, property supervisor for Pattison and Amnicon Falls state parks, told the guests. "It's just amazing to see these attractions and know that for us, it's in our backyard," Thompson said. Thompson shared the park's history: Lumber and mining baron Martin Pattison's love of the outdoors prompted him to secretly acquire 660 acres of land that encompassed the Little Manitou Falls and Big Manitou Falls on the Black River. In 1920, Pattison donated the property to the state, making Pattison State Park the state's sixth park. But it was the Civilian Conservation Corps camp near the Little Manitou Falls that helped shape the 1,400-acre state park named for its benefactor in the 1930s. Today, the lodge and bathhouse, built with stone cut by hand from a local quarry and ax-hewn beams, remain prominent features of Pattison State Park. "We have period furniture from those days ... still being used today," Thompson said. "What a beautiful place," Evers said, following a hike to the south and north sides of the sandstone and basalt gorge where the Black River cascades down the 165-foot-high waterfall. Evers said his goal was to highlight Wisconsin's booming tourism economy and investments included in his 2025-2027 executive budget to continue to lift the industry vital to Wisconsin. The governor's budget proposal includes: * Nearly $34 million for the Department of Tourism to promote Wisconsin as a premier business, cultural and recreational destination. * $10 million in incentives to bring film and television productions and other creative endeavors to Wisconsin. * $5.9 million to the Wisconsin Arts Board to support nonprofit arts organizations. * $1 million in new grants for rural creative economies. * More than $500,000 and several staff positions to make the Wisconsin Office of Outdoor Recreation permanent. "Outdoor recreation alone is a $11.2 billion industry in Wisconsin," Sayers said. "That's permanent and growing, and we want to make sure that the office that supports it is also permanent." Thompson said Pattison State Park sees between 150,000 and 180,000 visitors each year. Places like Pattison State Park help put things in perspective, Evers said. "Tourism is really important to the state of Wisconsin, and outdoor recreation provides a lot of money for our state," Evers said. "And people love to come to Wisconsin. People in Wisconsin love coming to places like this, so we're here enjoying it."
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Governor Evers tours Eau Claire and talks tourism
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – Governor Evers took a stroll around Carson Park as he highlighted Eau Claire as part of National Travel and Tourism Week. Evers took a tour of the Wisconsin Logging Museum that pays homage to the state's 18th-century logging industry. Evers said he plans to invest $34 million in the Department of Tourism with his 2025/2027 executive budget. He added that money will help to support all 72 counties in the state of Wisconsin, 'We started outdoor recreation part of (our) work at (the) state level. paying off in big numbers. It's a good investment. People are having fun here in Wisconsin. You can't beat it.' In 2023, tourism in Wisconsin saw a $25 billion total economic impact with more than 113 million visitors. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX2548 & WIProud.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Destination Panama City celebrates National Tourism Week
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) -Tuesday is National Tourism Appreciation Day. It's right in the middle of National Travel and Tourism Week. For the fifth year, Destination Panama City celebrated the occasion with a special event to thank the community. The agency served more than 500 free lunches today at the downtown marina by Hotel Indigo and Harrison's Kitchen and Bar. This is Destination Panama City's 10th year of business. Besides lunch, they also handed out free swag, drinks, and music. Bozeman High breaks ground on exciting expansion for students 'This actually marks the 10th year of Destination Panama City empowering community growth and economic stability through our tourism benefits. You can see that throughout the city. With all of the enhancements to downtown and the vitality in St. Andrew's and really the business of 23rd street, you know, tourism in Bay County supports over 35,000 jobs and has over a $3 billion economic impact to our area,' President and CEO of Destination Panama City Jennifer Vigil said. If you missed Monday's event, you have another chance to celebrate National Tourism Week on Wednesday. The Panama City Beach Visitors and Convention Bureau is sponsoring a party from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the M.B. Miller County Pier. There will be free food, ice cream, and music. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tourists set records in St. Pete, Clearwater as area rebounds after back-to-back hurricanes
The Brief St. Pete Clearwater International Airport and Visit St. Pete Clearwater hosted PIE Rally Day on Monday to celebrate visitors at the airport. Visit St. Pete Clearwater said its tourist development tax in January, the hotel bed tax, reached a record for the region for that month at $8.29 million. Airport and local leaders say this year's tourism impact is even more important after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. CLEARWATER, Fla. - St. Pete Clearwater International Airport and Visit St. Pete Clearwater teamed up on Monday to highlight the impact of tourism on the Tampa Bay Area. Local perspective They hosted PIE Rally Day to celebrate visitors at the airport. It's an annual event kicking off National Travel and Tourism Week, but airport and local leaders say this year's tourism impact is even more important after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Passengers were greeted with prizes, representatives from the local chambers of commerce and the airport's therapy dogs. What they're saying "It's to recognize the passengers' tourism and give them a little appreciation and let them know how important they are for our community," Thomas Jewsbury, St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport executive director, said. READ: Grady Judd asking for public's help after shootout injuring 3 teens at prom after-party "Every year is important, this year especially, because we need to let people know that we're open for business, we're still shining, and we're welcoming them with open arms," Barry Rubin, president and CEO of Pinellas Beaches Chamber, added. Dig deeper Visit St. Pete Clearwater said its tourist development tax in January, the hotel bed tax, reached a record for the region for that month at $8.29 million. February came in even higher at $9.8 million. St. Pete Clearwater International Airport also experienced record passengers in February and March. It recorded almost 292,000 passengers in March. "We're so fortunate that we were able to recover as quickly as we were," Jewsbury said. "We really sustained little damage here at the airport, so the tourism has really improved," Jewsbury said. "We've seen record growth even for March we were up 16 percent, so there's a lot to be appreciative of," he said. Jewsbury said he expects passenger numbers to continue to grow through the summer as everyone continues to welcome visitors back to the area. READ:Clearwater Ferry passengers refute statements from Jeffry Knight's attorney in aftermath of crash "We're hopeful that everyone's going to realize that we've worked very, very hard the last seven months to put things back in order for everybody to come back and enjoy everything we have to offer," Rubin said. What's next St. Pete Clearwater International is also in the design phase of a terminal expansion. The project will add a combined TSA checkpoint and more gates. Construction will start at the end of 2026 and will take three to four years. The airport also recently introduced The Grouper shuttle which brings passengers from PIE to Clearwater Beach in partnership with the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority. The Source This story was written with information gathered by FOX 13's Kailey Tracy. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter Follow FOX 13 on YouTube
