2018 was a record year for San Francisco tourism, and the city’s travel sector is set to grow even more this year. That’s according to new data from the San Francisco Travel Association, which has released last year’s tourism figures and projections for 2019 at the organization’s Marketing Conference at the Mission Bay Conference Center, San Francisco.
25.8 million visitors came to San Francisco last year, representing a new record and 1.2 percent growth over 2017. Total spending by visitors, including spending on meetings and conventions, was up 2.3 percent, for a total of $10 billion.
In a written statement, President and CEO of San Francisco Travel Joe D’Alessandro said that 2018 was the ninth consecutive year of record-breaking outcomes for San Francisco’s tourism industry. Visitor spending created 82,538 jobs and supported services for people throughout the city and the Bay Area.
D’Alessandro also said that the organization is optimistic for the rest of 2019, with the city having more room nights on the books than ever before due to the recently expanded Moscone Center. The year ahead should see continued growth in convention bookings, as well as a complete brand refresh that will be rolled out at San Francisco Travel’s Annual Luncheon on June 27.
Looking ahead to 2019, San Francisco Travel is forecasting a total of 26.5 million visitors to the city, an increase of 2.5 percent. Total spending by visitors in 2019 is projected to reach $10.3 billion, up 3.4 percent, including spending related to meetings and conventions.
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