Why Travel Matters in Oxnard

As the past year has undoubtedly proven, Oxnard benefits from the spirit of travel, which permeates through small businesses, unique landmarks and all those who welcome residents and visitors alike with a smile and hospitality.

Our local agricultural businesses, the Channel Islands Harbor and other tourist sites like Heritage Square, Oxnard Performing Arts and Convention Center, and Henry T. Oxnard Historic District are the backbone of Oxnard. These places define our community, provide our families with jobs and have given us—and thousands of annual visitors—a lifetime of memories.

Travel matters, and it improves Oxnard in ways that have a wide-reaching impact on local residents. Travel supports thousands of travel-related jobs in Oxnard, and it also has an impact that we do not always see: travel can strengthen families, foster hometown pride, and build bridges that connect us with one another.

Travel Matters to America

In 2020, travel spending generated $680 billion, a 42 percent decrease from the prior year. In 2023, travel activity continued the recovery expansion started in mid-late 2020. By the end of the year, travel output exceeded 2019 pre-pandemic levels of activity by 7%. In 2023, national spending on travel and tourism reached $1.3 trillion, marking a 4% increase from 2022. Travel industry employment also continues to recover nationally. Approximately 250 thousand jobs were gained in 2023, a year-over-year increase of 5%.

Travel is powerful for cities and states, and Oxnard is no exception. Just read our press release with Ventura County-specific economic impact numbers.

Travel Matters to California

Prior to the pandemic, California was thriving from a record 10 years of travel-related economic growth, further signaling the steady influence tourism has had on the state’s economy. While the tourism industry was especially hard hit by travel restrictions, it is beginning to rebound and recover.

In 2023, travel spending in California grew to $150.4 billion, a 5.6% increase from the prior year. Since 2019, travel spending has increased by 3.8%. The travel industry supported approximately 1.15 million California jobs in 2023, a 5.9% increase from the prior year. Travel-generated tax revenue also increased to $12.7 billion, an increase of 3.7% from 2022.

Reports showed that increased travel spending in Ventura County totaled $1.8 billion in 2023, contributed $162 million in tax receipts and equaled 16,800 local jobs.

“For the first time since the pandemic began, visitors can now take in the full range of only-in-California, unforgettable vacation experiences,” said Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California. “California is a place that welcomes all people and all dreams, and the time to travel here is now.”

Assembly Member Sharon Quirk-Silva, D-Fullerton and chair of the California Assembly’s Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media, added: “Californians have stepped up throughout the last 15 months – sacrificing for public health amid economic hardship for many. Make no mistake, the tourism industry is poised to roar back and reestablish itself as a reliable economic driver and job producer.”

The travel and tourism industry is integral to our nation’s recovery—for the economy and American jobs. It is the spirit of travel that will heal our country’s morale.

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