California Tourism Month.
The resolution acknowledges that the travel industry is a key driver of California's economy, generating over $144 billion in visitor spending in 2019 and supporting approximately 1.2 million jobs. However, the pandemics' impact resulted in a staggering 55% decrease in visitor spending in 2020, severely affecting the state's economy and resulting in job losses in the travel and hospitality sector. SCR46 seeks to remind and motivate Californians to engage in travel and support local economies to facilitate recovery from these losses.
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 46 (SCR46), authored by Senator Umberg, proclaims May 2021 as California Tourism Month. This resolution encourages citizens to support local businesses by traveling within the state, emphasizing the significant role tourism plays in California's economy. Prior to the pandemic, tourism contributed greatly to state revenue and employment, demonstrating the sector's vitality and its critical nature for economic stability and growth in the region.
The sentiment surrounding SCR46 is largely positive, framed as an act of encouragement aimed at revitalizing the struggling tourism industry. Proponents view this proclamation as an opportunity for communal effort in supporting state recovery through local travel, fostering a sense of civic duty among residents. The resolution also aligns with previous declarations by the California Legislature, continuing the tradition of highlighting tourism's importance to the state's identity and economy.
While the resolution is mostly uncontentious due to its nature of promoting local business and tourism, it serves as a reminder of the larger economic struggles faced by the travel industry due to the pandemic. It illuminates the urgency for recovery efforts in the wake of significant declines in visitor spending and employment, underscoring the vulnerability of this sector and the interconnectedness of local businesses' well-being with broader economic health.