California Records Big Gain in Share of U.S. Travel.

Business Editors/Travel Writers

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 26, 2000

California's share of the domestic travel market in 1999 was 10.5 percent, making it the most visited state in the U.S., and marked a sharp increase over the 9.9 percent share recorded by the state in 1998. California's closest competing state was Texas with a 6.9 percent market share, followed by Florida's 6.4 percent.

"The dramatic market share gain is a clear sign that the tourism picture is improving in California," stated Lon Hatamiya, Secretary, California Trade and Commerce Agency. "It is also an indication that the marketing partnership forged between the State of California and the tourism industry supported California Travel and Tourism Commission is beginning to pay dividends," added Secretary Hatamiya.

California's 1999 travel market share gain was led by leisure travel at 10.6 percent (up from 9.9 percent in 1998), followed by a 10.3 percent share of the business travel market (up from 9.9 percent in 1998).

The market share data was contained in the California Year End 1999 survey compiled by D.K Shifflet & Associates for the California Trade and Commerce Agency's Division of Tourism.

The number one travel destination in the U.S., California attracted an estimated 282 million visitors in 1999. Travel and tourism expenditures in the Golden State amount to $67.9 billion annually, providing jobs for 695,000 Californians, and generating $4.5 billion in tax revenues.