Percent of Payroll Generated by Travel Spending
Tourist Spending Accounts for 15% of Sierra Nevada's Total Payroll
Why is it important?
The multi-billion dollar travel industry is a vital part of the Sierra Nevada’s economy. The industry is represented by a myriad of retail and service firms such as lodging establishments, restaurants, retail stores, gasoline service stations, outdoor recreation providers, agricultural and cultural tourism businesses. The travel spending figures included herein are estimates of destination travel spending; these estimates include all travel spending except for air transportation and travel arrangements.
Visitors are attracted to the Sierra Nevada because of its outstanding natural and social capital. The blue skies, wide-open mountain vistas, rushing streams, healthy forests and lovely historic towns draw visitors from around the world. These visitors help build the Sierra’s financial capital by supporting local jobs and generating billions of dollars in revenue for the private and public sectors.
While low population density can be a disadvantage for some kinds of economic activities, it can be beneficial for others, like tourism and retirement communities. Many authors have highlighted the success of such “high amenity” rural regions. These rural regions show strong economic performance by attracting tourists, retirees, and other residents with a higher quality of life. With scenic beauty or tourism offerings such as beaches or mountains, these areas attract visitors and residents who stimulate local business development, boost the demand for higher quality local services, and elevate per capita income.
How are we doing?
Tourist spending provides 15 percent of Sierra Nevada’s total payroll compared to three percent of California’s total payroll. The importance of tourism to local wages varies considerably across the Sierra Nevada, from a high of 53 percent in the East Sierra, to approximately 28 percent in the South Central Sierra and the North Sierra, and nine percent in the North Central Sierra.
In 1997, visitor spending accounted for more than $3.3 billion in revenues to Sierra Nevada communities. Tourist spending was highest in the North Central Sierra ($1.6 billion/year), followed by the South Central Sierra ($880 million/year), the East Sierra ($617 million/year) and the North Sierra ($203 million/year).
Download data and charts 1992 to 2002
