Record-Breaking Tourism Industry in California: How Sacramento and Placer County are Contributing to the Growth

In 2023, the tourism industry in California hit a record high, surpassing $150 billion. The city of Sacramento is one of the major contributors to this growth, with events such as rock concerts and food festivals contributing significantly to the local economy. Visit Sacramento CEO Mike Testa stated that tourism brings over $4 billion in impact to the region, and the city’s attractions, such as the state capitol and gold rush history, continue to draw visitors. However, new events like conventions and music festivals are also bringing more people to Sacramento.

Placer County is also expanding its tourism offerings by focusing on hosting sports tournaments. CEO of Placer Valley Tourism, Kim Summers, mentioned that large tournaments draw thousands of out-of-state competitors and contribute significantly to the local economy. Despite this growth, there is still a shortage of hotel rooms in Sacramento due to its popularity among tourists. Meanwhile, Placer County lacks facilities to host more events due to their focus on sports tournaments.

Some popular festivals in Sacramento like Aftershock rock festival and GoldenSky country music festival are expanding due to growing demand. As a result of this growth in tourism revenue, both Sacramento and Placer acknowledge the need for more infrastructure like modernizing convention centers and building more hotels rooms and facilities for hosting events. Overall, the thriving tourism industry in California is benefiting both residents and tourists alike with a diverse range of events that attract visitors and contribute significantly to the local economy.