Temecula Valley Tourism Rebounds, Reaches Near Pre-Pandemic Level

TEMECULA, CA — Temecula Valley tourism is successfully rebounding from pandemic losses that severely impacted the region, according to new data released Tuesday.

Figures announced by Visit Temecula Valley show that in 2022, the most recent timeframe for which data are available, travel spending in the region jumped to $999.7 million, which is near the record-high $1.1 billion level reached in 2018.

Last year's numbers show a steady rise in the valley's economic activity that was temporarily disrupted by the pandemic: travel spending is up 46.2% from $684 million in 2021, according to VTV, which serves as the region's tourism arm.

Temecula Valley welcomed approximately 3.2 million visitors in 2022, a 28 percent increase from 2.5 million in 2021. This includes overnight visitors from more than a 50-mile distance, VTV announced.

Temecula Valley includes the city of Temecula and the surrounding wine district, also known as Southern California Wine Country. The VTV report, prepared by Dean Runyan Associates, measures economic activity associated with travel-related spending, employment, earnings and taxes.

Tourism is essential to the economic stability of the Temecula Valley and there is reason for optimism, according to Scott A. Wilson, VTV CEO.

“We expect 2023 to exceed 2022 as the recovery continues and as international travelers continue to re-enter the market," Wilson said.

The new VTV report highlighted key increases:

• Travel to Temecula Valley in 2022 created 9,160 jobs, a 16.9 percent increase over 2021, and slightly above pre-pandemic levels.
• Direct travel-generated earnings in 2022 increased to $345.3 million, a gain of 22.2 percent compared to the previous year.
• State and local tax revenue due to travel in 2022 was $43 million, up 33.6 percent compared to 2021.
• Retail sales rose from $56 million in 2021 to $96.4 million in 2022, a 71.3 percent increase.
• The Arts, Entertainment and Recreation sector brought in $324.6 million, a 35.6 percent increase from the year prior.
• Spending on local transportation and gas increased 79.3 percent, from $66.3 million in 2021 to $119 million in 2022.

“Temecula Valley tourism is a top economic driver in the region,” said Michael Feeley, Visit Temecula Valley chairman of the board and executive director of the Pechanga Development Corporation. “Spending on travel-related activities fuels the local economy, helps sustain local businesses, supports thousands of jobs, and brings in tax revenue.”

The VTV data include the economic impact of Pechanga Resort Casino, which is one of the largest resort/casinos in the United States.

Read this archive article to learn more about how the pandemic affected Temecula Valley tourism: Coronavirus Hit To Temecula's $1 Billion Tourism Industry