GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Must-Know San Diego Tourism Statistics [Current Data]

Highlights: San Diego Tourism Statistics

  • In 2019, San Diego welcomed 35.8 million visitors.
  • In 2019, visitors spent over $11.1 billion in the local economy.
  • 29.7% of total visitors to San Diego are international travelers.
  • San Diego’s tourism supports an estimated 194,000 jobs (pre-COVID).
  • San Diego maintains an average hotel occupancy rate of 76.9%.
  • In 2019, San Diego’s largest international visitor market was Mexico, accounting for 56% of international visitors.
  • Legoland California had 2.1 million visitors in 2019.
  • San Diego has more than 70 miles of coastline, offering countless opportunities for water activities.
  • The San Diego Convention Center attracts over 900,000 attendees annually.
  • SeaWorld San Diego attracted 3.78 million visitors in 2019.
  • There are over 300 cruise ship visits per year to San Diego.
  • San Diego International Airport serves 17 million passengers annually, and offers nonstop flights to over 70 destinations.
  • There are over 450 golf courses in San Diego county, many of which are popular tourist attractions.

Our Newsletter

The Business Week In Data

Sign up for our newsletter and become the navigator of tomorrow's trends. Equip your strategy with unparalleled insights!

Table of Contents

San Diego is a popular tourist destination, and the statistics show why. In 2019, San Diego welcomed 35.8 million visitors who spent over $11 billion in the local economy. International travelers accounted for 29.7% of total visitors to San Diego that year, while tourism supported an estimated 194,000 jobs (pre-COVID). The city also maintained an average hotel occupancy rate of 76.9%, with excise and transient occupancy taxes accounting for $315 million in tax revenue in 2019 alone.

Additionally, the average daily hotel room rate was $161.20 with 10-12% tax included; however this number decreased significantly due to COVID-19 restrictions imposed last year causing a 55% decrease in overall tourism numbers compared to 2019 figures..

Popular attractions such as Balboa Park boast 1200 acres along with 17 museums and 8 gardens; SeaWorld had 3.78 million visitors; Legoland California 2million guests; 4 million people visited San Diego Zoo while 900 thousand attended conventions at its Convention Center annually prior to 2020 pandemic regulations being implemented.

There are more than 70 miles of coastline offering countless opportunities for water activities plus 450 golf courses throughout county making it one of most sought after destinations by tourists from all around world including Mexico which accounts 56 % international visitor market share according USA Travel Organization report published March 2019 . Finally , there are 300 cruise ship visits per year docking at port located downtown near Gaslamp Quarter historic neighborhood boasting 94 registered buildings adding even more charm into mix when considering visiting sunny Southern California’s second largest city – SAN DIEGO .

The Most Important Statistics
In 2019, San Diego welcomed 35.8 million visitors. This statistic is a testament to the immense popularity of San Diego as a tourist destination. It shows that the city is a major draw for visitors from all over the world, and that its tourism industry is thriving. It is a clear indication that San Diego is a great place to visit and explore, and that it is a great place to invest in tourism-related businesses. In 2019, visitors spent over $11.1 billion in the local economy. The staggering statistic of $11.1 billion spent in the local economy by visitors in 2019 is a testament to the immense impact of tourism in San Diego. This figure is a clear indication of the immense economic benefits that the city has reaped from its tourism industry. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of tourism in San Diego and the need to continue to invest in and promote the city as a tourist destination.

San Diego Tourism Statistics Overview

29.7% of total visitors to San Diego are international travelers.

This statistic is a testament to the global appeal of San Diego as a tourist destination. It speaks to the city’s ability to draw in travelers from all over the world, making it a truly international destination.

San Diego’s tourism supports an estimated 194,000 jobs (pre-COVID).

The statistic of 194,000 jobs supported by San Diego’s tourism is a powerful reminder of the economic impact of the tourism industry in the city. It highlights the importance of the industry to the local economy and the livelihoods of those employed in it. This statistic is a stark reminder of the potential losses that could be incurred if the tourism industry is not supported and protected.

San Diego maintains an average hotel occupancy rate of 76.9%.

The fact that San Diego maintains an average hotel occupancy rate of 76.9% speaks volumes about the city’s popularity as a tourist destination. It shows that San Diego is a desirable place to visit, and that travelers are eager to experience all that the city has to offer. This statistic is a testament to the city’s success in attracting visitors and providing them with a memorable experience.

In 2019, San Diego’s largest international visitor market was Mexico, accounting for 56% of international visitors.

This statistic is a testament to the strong relationship between San Diego and Mexico, highlighting the importance of Mexico as a key source of international visitors to the city. It is a valuable insight into the city’s tourism industry, providing a glimpse into the preferences of international travelers and the potential for further growth in the sector.

Legoland California had 2.1 million visitors in 2019.

The fact that Legoland California had 2.1 million visitors in 2019 is a testament to the immense popularity of San Diego as a tourist destination. It speaks to the city’s ability to draw in visitors from all over the world, and highlights the many attractions and activities that make San Diego such an attractive destination.

San Diego has more than 70 miles of coastline, offering countless opportunities for water activities.

The statistic that San Diego has more than 70 miles of coastline is a major draw for tourists, as it provides an abundance of opportunities for water activities. From surfing and swimming to kayaking and fishing, the city’s coastline offers something for everyone looking to enjoy the ocean. This makes San Diego an ideal destination for beach-goers and water sports enthusiasts alike.

The San Diego Convention Center attracts over 900,000 attendees annually.

This statistic is a testament to the immense popularity of the San Diego Convention Center, highlighting its significance as a major tourist destination. It speaks to the city’s ability to draw in large numbers of visitors each year, making it a prime spot for travelers looking to explore the area.

SeaWorld San Diego attracted 3.78 million visitors in 2019.

The statistic that SeaWorld San Diego attracted 3.78 million visitors in 2019 is a testament to the city’s allure as a tourist destination. It speaks to the fact that San Diego is a popular destination for travelers from all over the world, and that it has something to offer for everyone. This statistic is an important indicator of the city’s success in the tourism industry and its ability to attract visitors from all over the world.

There are over 300 cruise ship visits per year to San Diego.

The fact that San Diego sees over 300 cruise ship visits annually is a testament to its popularity as a tourist destination. This statistic speaks to the city’s appeal as a place to explore and experience, and is a key indicator of the success of San Diego’s tourism industry.

San Diego International Airport serves 17 million passengers annually, and offers nonstop flights to over 70 destinations.

The statistic that San Diego International Airport serves 17 million passengers annually and offers nonstop flights to over 70 destinations is a testament to the city’s popularity as a tourist destination. It speaks to the fact that San Diego is a desirable destination for travelers from all over the world, and that the airport is well-equipped to handle the influx of visitors. This is an important statistic to consider when discussing San Diego’s tourism industry, as it demonstrates the city’s ability to accommodate a large number of travelers.

There are over 450 golf courses in San Diego county, many of which are popular tourist attractions.

This statistic is indicative of the immense popularity of golfing in San Diego county, making it a prime destination for golfers from all over the world. With so many courses to choose from, golfers can find the perfect course to suit their skill level and preferences. This makes San Diego an ideal spot for golfers looking to enjoy a round of golf while on vacation. Furthermore, the presence of these golf courses adds to the overall appeal of San Diego as a tourist destination, making it a great place to visit for those looking to experience the best of what the city has to offer.

Conclusion

San Diego is a popular tourist destination, with 35.8 million visitors in 2019 and an economic impact of $11.6 billion that same year. Visitors spent over $11.1 billion in the local economy, while international travelers accounted for 29.7% of total visitors to San Diego during this time period. The tourism industry supports an estimated 194,000 jobs (pre-COVID) and maintains an average hotel occupancy rate of 76.9%. Excise and transient occupancy taxes generated approximately $315 million in city tax revenue for San Diego in 2019 as well.

Popular attractions such as Balboa Park offer 1200 acres filled with 17 museums and 8 gardens; the San Diego Zoo attracted 4 million visitors alone back in 2018; Legoland California had 2 million guests visit their park last year; there are more than 70 miles of coastline offering countless opportunities for water activities; 900 thousand people attend events at the Convention Center annually; 94 registered historic buildings can be found within Gaslamp Quarter downtown area ; SeaWorld welcomed 3,78 millions tourists throughout 2019 ; 300 cruise ships visits per year take place here plus 450 golf courses located around county . Finally , International Airport serves 17 millions passengers yearly providing nonstop flights to over 70 destinations worldwide.

Overall these statistics demonstrate how much potential lies within San Diego’s tourism sector – from its natural beauty to its cultural offerings – making it one of America’s most desirable vacation spots.

References

0. – https://www.www.san.org

1. – https://www.www.portofsandiego.org

2. – https://www.visitsandiego.com

3. – https://www.www.statista.com

4. – https://www.www.sdtaconnect.com

5. – https://www.www.ustravel.org

6. – https://www.www.granddelmar.com

7. – https://www.www.sandiego.org

8. – https://www.www.sandiegored.com

9. – https://www.www.sandiegoreader.com

 

FAQs

What was the total number of visitors to San Diego in 2019?

In 2019, San Diego welcomed approximately 35.8 million visitors.

What is the estimated economic impact of tourism in San Diego?

The estimated economic impact of tourism in San Diego in 2019 was around $11.6 billion.

What are the top three attractions in San Diego for tourists?

The top three attractions in San Diego for tourists are Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, and USS Midway Museum.

What is the annual average hotel occupancy rate in San Diego?

The annual average hotel occupancy rate in San Diego in 2019 was approximately 77.1%.

What is the percentage of tourists that visit San Diego for leisure purposes?

Nearly 80% of tourists visit San Diego for leisure purposes, while the remaining 20% visit for business or other reasons.

How we write our statistic reports:

We have not conducted any studies ourselves. Our article provides a summary of all the statistics and studies available at the time of writing. We are solely presenting a summary, not expressing our own opinion. We have collected all statistics within our internal database. In some cases, we use Artificial Intelligence for formulating the statistics. The articles are updated regularly.

See our Editorial Process.

Table of Contents

... Before You Leave, Catch This! 🔥

Your next business insight is just a subscription away. Our newsletter The Week in Data delivers the freshest statistics and trends directly to you. Stay informed, stay ahead—subscribe now.

Sign up for our newsletter and become the navigator of tomorrow's trends. Equip your strategy with unparalleled insights!