By Kenneth Harwood
Economist, Solvang Chamber of Commerce
Most spending by tourists in California originates in other states and countries. The graph shows that about six dollars in ten came from outside the state in 2018.
Spending by California residents was $51.9 billion, or 40.6 percent of the total. Visitors from other parts of the U.S. spent $47.7 billion here, or 37.3 percent of total spending. International visitors spent $28.3 billion (22.1 percent).
Together these visitors from other places in the U. S. and elsewhere in the world spent $76.0 billion at destinations in California, or 59.4 percent of total visitor spending.
California residents spent 40.6 percent of the $127.9 billion total.
Spending here by international visitors counts as exports from the United States. Tourism in California produces more export value for the United States ($28 billion a year) than do California’s agricultural exports ($21 billion a year).
Solvang welcomes visitors from California, other places in the U. S., and other countries. Visitors to Solvang find a wide range of appealing goods and services from which to choose.
Go online to Visit California, “California Travel Impacts 2010-2018,” page 5, for details of destination spending in California. Agricultural exports are reported online by California Department of Food and Agriculture, “California Agricultural Statistics Review 2017-2018,” page 105.
