Tourism and hospitality are an integral part of the economy for the United States, California, and Sonoma County.Â
Visitor Statistics (2022)
- 10.3 million visitors came to Sonoma County in 2022 (+4% over 2021 levels)
- Of these, 54% (5.5 million) are day visitors and 46% (4.8 million) are overnight visitors (Source: Longwoods International)
- In 2022, Sonoma County experienced a marked recovery in visitor spending. Visitors spent $2.299 billion in Sonoma County in 2022, an increase of 18.7% over 2021, which also outpaced the 2019 pre-pandemic spending total by 2.7% (Source: Dean Runyan Associates 2022)
- Tourism and hospitality have always been important industries for Sonoma County’s workforce. 2022 saw a gain of 20.1% in travel sector jobs. Hospitality industry employment in 2022 was 21,150 (10% of the overall workforce) and recovered to 94% of 2019 employment levels. (Source: Dean Runyan Associates)
Travel Impacts for Sonoma County (2022):
State and local government revenue generated by the local Sonoma County tourism industry ($223 million in 2022) is used to help support regional parks, economic development, arts and culture, education, roads, public safety, education, affordable housing and workforce development among other community programs. Â (source: Visit California / Dean Runyan and Associates.
View data for Sonoma County:Â Â "California Travel Impacts by County - Sonoma"
Travel Impacts for the State of California (2022):
Information from Visit California / Dean Runyan and Associates.
View full report: "California Travel Impacts " for 2022.
- In 2022, travel spending grew to $134.4 billion, a 31.7% increase from the prior year. Since the peak of 2019, travel spending has declined by 7.2%.
- The travel industry supported approximately 1.09 million jobs in 2022, a 16.8% increase from the prior year. Compared to 2019, travel industry employment has declined by 7.3%.
- Travel-generated state and local tax revenue increased to $11.9 billion in 2022, an increase of 21.6% from the prior year. Compared to 2019, travel-generated tax revenue has fallen by 3%.
- Visitor air travel on domestic flights to California destinations increased by 66% in 2022, from 21.4 million to 35.5 million arrivals.
- Visitors who stayed in a hotel, motel, or short-term vacation rental (STVR) spent a combined $67.6 billion in 2022, an increase of 25.7% compared to 2021.
TOT Assessment by City in Sonoma County
The Sonoma County Economic Development Board produces an excellent report on Transient Occupancy Tax, including where each government entity invests that money: Sonoma County TOT Reports.
- Cloverdale – 10 percent
- Healdsburg – 12 percent
- Petaluma – 10 percent
- Rohnert Park – 12 percent
- Santa Rosa – 9 percent
- Sebastopol – 12 percent
- Sonoma – 12 percent
- Windsor – 12 percent
- Unincorporated County – 12 percent
Â
Tourism Business Statistics (2023)*
- 40% of SCT’s partner businesses are family and woman-owned businesses, and 47% of these organizations have operated in Sonoma County for over 20 years.
- 74% percent of Sonoma County tourism businesses are small (fewer than 25 employees).
- Approximately 5% of SCT partner businesses are LGBTQ+ owned, 5% Asian owned, 3% Hispanic owned, 2% Veteran owned, and 1% Indigenous owned.
*Sonoma County Tourism 2023 Partner Survey
Â
MORE INFORMATION
- Annual Tourism Report 2022
- Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport Passenger Numbers
- County of Sonoma Economic Development Board
- EDB Quarterly TOT Reports
- Outdoor Participation Trends Report - 2022
- Sonoma County – Industry Profiles (From County of Sonoma EDB)Â
- Sonoma County – City Profiles
- U.S. Travel Association
- U.S. Travel Association - Fall 2022 Forecast
- Visit California's Plans
- Visit California – Industry Research
Want to learn more? Destination Analysts is a research firm that publishes "The State of the American Traveler," an excellent snapshot of domestic travelers.