Monterey County / Summary

Travel Impacts 2022p

Visitor activity in Monterey County aligned with national travel trends in 2022. The county welcomed more overnight and day visitors compared to 2021, and spending associated with these travelers was only 5.8% below the prepandemic high of $3.2 billion in 2019. The growth of travel-related spending in 2022 can be attributed to the increased visitation and price inflation of goods and services – gasoline and accommodations showing the largest levels of inflation.

• Travel spending in Monterey County increased 19.1%, from $2.6 billion in 2021 to $3.1 billion in 2022.

• Direct travel-generated employment grew by 5,175 jobs, a 25.6% increase over 2021.

• Direct travel-generated earnings increased to $1.5 billion, a gain of 33.9% compared to 2021.

• Tax receipts generated by travel spending increased to $307.3 million, a gain of 17.8% compared to 2021.

Monterey County’s travel industry increased 19.1% in 2022. Travel spending remains 5.8% below spending in 2019.

Note: These estimates for Monterey County are subject to revision if more complete data becomes available. Estimates for 2022 are preliminary – thus “2022p.”