LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Los Angeles tourism industry’s record-breaking 41.4 million visitors generated $16.5 billion in visitor spending, $30.5 billion in economic impact, and supported 324,000 jobs in 2012, according to a study released today by the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (LA Tourism). Leisure and Hospitality was the county’s leading sector in job creation with tourism adding approximately 10,000 new jobs.
The study, conducted by Micronomics, quantified total domestic and international LA visitor spending patterns and in rank order, includes:
- Lodging - $4.4 Billion
- Food & Beverage - $4.3 Billion
- Transportation - $3.2 billion
- Shopping - $1.8 Billion
- Entertainment - $1.7 Billion
- Other Tourism Activities - $1 Billion
The additional impact from the circulation of this direct spending through the local economy contributed another $14 billion of secondary economic activity.
According to LA Tourism, 2012 visitation represented a 2.5 percent increase over 2011. These visitors generated a record 26.62 million hotel room nights and generated more than $1 billion in county tax revenue.
“This report really demonstrates the powerful impact of an increase in just one sector of our local economy – tourism. The growth seen in visitation to Los Angeles in 2012 has led to a corresponding growth in employment and local tax revenue,” said Ernest Wooden, President and CEO of LA Tourism. “As LA continues to revitalize regions and introduce new attractions giving us new news to market globally, we are poised to reap significant economic benefits from increased tourism.”
The Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board was created in 1977 as the official branding, sales and marketing organization for Los Angeles, responsible for developing leisure and meetings business for the economic benefit of the community.
Editor’s Note: A copy of the full Micronomics study is available through LA Tourism.