Tourists Spent $700 Million in Santa Cruz County in 2011

Tourists in Santa Cruz spent $700 million in 2011, a 7 percent increase over 2010, according to a report released this week by Dean Runyan & Associates according to the Santa Cruz County Conference & Visitors Council.

Visitors spend $195 on food and drinks; $148 on hotels and rentals and $125 million in retail sales, the report said. That resulted in 7,910 jobs and $16 million in taxes for local government.

Statewide, early reports claim tourism amounted to $106.4 billion in 2012, an increase of 4.5 percent.

So far this year, Santa Cruz lodging is up 6 percent over last year, according to the CVC. May saw a bump of 2.6 percent.

To see the report, click here.