Visit Temecula Valley releases 2022 tourism impact numbers

Visit Temecula Valley announced its tourism impact report results for 2022. New data signals a substantial rebound from pandemic losses, with travel spending in the Temecula Valley jumping to nearly $1 billion, specifically to $999.7 million, in 2022, which is up 46.2% from $684 million the year previous. The report, prepared by Dean Runyan Associates, measures economic activity associated with travel-related spending, employment, earnings and taxes.

Temecula Valley welcomed approximately 3.2 million visitors in 2022, a 28 percent increase from 2.5 million in 2021. It includes overnight visitors from more than a 50-mile distance. Temecula Valley includes the city of Temecula and the surrounding wine district, also known as Southern California Wine Country.

“Tourism is essential to the economic stability of the Temecula Valley, and we’re grateful for the innovation and dedication of the thousands of people who continue to make our region a premiere travel destination,” Scott A. Wilson, CEO of Visit Temecula Valley, said. “We expect 2023 to exceed 2022 as the recovery continues and as international travelers continue to re-enter the market.”

Travel to Temecula Valley in 2022 created 9,160 jobs, a 16.9% 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% compared to the previous year. State and local tax revenue due to travel in 2022 was $43 million, up 33.6% compared to 2021. Travel spending contributes to an annual tax savings of $156 for each residential household.

Retail sales rose from $56 million in 2021 to $96.4 million in 2022, a 71.3% increase. The Arts, Entertainment and Recreation sector brought in $324.6 million, a 35.6% increase from the year previous. Spending on local transportation and gas increased 79.3%, from $66.3 million in 2021 to $119 million in 2022.

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

The data also reflects the significant economic impact of the Pechanga Resort Casino, one of the largest resort/casinos in the United States with 1,100 rooms, meetings and concert venues, world-class spa and golf facilities.

An all-season destination with a mild climate, Temecula Valley is an easy drive from most metropolitan meetings or retreats.

Visit Temecula Valley is a nonprofit 501(c)(6) destination marketing organization dedicated to promoting tourism-related businesses including wineries, restaurants, breweries, retail and specialty boutiques, hotels, short-term rentals and more. It is a popular Southern California destination that includes Temecula

Valley Wine Country, Old Town Temecula and Pechanga Resort Casino. In 2019, Wine Enthusiast named Temecula Valley a 10 Best Wine Travel Destination, in the world. For more information visit http://www.visittemeculavalley. com.

Submitted by Visit Temecula Valley.

California Ranch Company offers visitors an opportunity to go horseback riding among the vineyards. Valley News/Courtesy photo areas in Southern California including Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County and Palm Springs. Temecula is surrounded by rolling hills, beautiful vineyards and has breathtaking mountain views, making it a top choice for millions of people who desire a nearby destination for vacations, weddings, recreational activities, special events and corporate

Golden Gate Fields to close permanently; San Luis Rey to expand

City News Service

Special to the Valley News

The Stronach Group is closing its Golden Gate Fields racetrack in the Bay Area at the end of the 2023 meet and transferring its horses to Southern California, resulting in increased activity at San Luis Rey Downs, a private training track the company owns in Bonsall, officials said Sunday, July 16. The changes will also add to the racing calendar at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia.

At the conclusion of the Golden Gate Fields meet, the company will focus on “seamlessly transitioning horses from Northern California to Southern California with the goal of increasing field sizes and adding another day of racing to the weekly racing calendar at Santa Anita Park, come January 2024,” according to The Stronach Group. “This consolidation will provide expanded content opportunities, wagering prospects and will serve to further elevate the overall customer experience at Santa Anita Park.”

“The Stronach Group remains steadfastly committed to racing in California,” Belinda Stronach, company chair, CEO and president of the group, said in a statement Sunday. “We believe that the future success of racing depends on a business model that encourages investment in Southern California, one of North America’s premier racing circuits.

“Focusing on Santa Anita Park and San Luis Rey Downs as stateof-the-art racing and training facilities that offer enhanced program quality, increased race days, expanded wagering opportunities, and premier hospitality and entertainment experiences is vital to ensuring that California racing can continue to compete and thrive on a national level,” Stronach said.

Company officials said they will work in cooperation with industry participants including the California Horse Racing racing date in 2023 at the San Francisco Bay area horse track, resulting in increased activity at San Luis Rey Downs, a private training track the company owns in Bonsall.

Board, Thoroughbred Owners of California, California Thoroughbred Trainers and Del Mar and Los Alamitos racetracks to develop a plan to relocate horses and employees to Southern California.

“We recognize that the decision will have profound effects on our valued employees as well as the owners, trainers, jockeys and stable personnel at Golden Gate Fields. The Stronach Group is committed to honoring labor obligations and developing a meaningful transition plan,” Stronach said.

“Golden Gate Fields has been racing nine months out of the year in Northern California,” Scott Chaney, executive director of California Horse Racing Board, said Sunday. “I think it is fair to say that race-date allocations will take on a new meaning when the board opens discussions in August for 2024 race dates. I am acutely aware of the human impact of the closure – be they CHRB employees, CHRB contractors, licensees and, of course, Golden Gate employees – and I will be working hard to ameliorate any negative consequences and to create job and role opportunities.”

CHRB Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales, who chairs the CHRB Race Dates Committee, said he hoped the upcoming CHRB meeting Aug. 17 and Race Dates Committee meeting Aug. 16 – both in Del Mar – will “be an opportunity to share more information with the public.”