How Much Does San Francisco Make With Tourism?

By Michael Ferguson

San Francisco is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, attracting millions of visitors each year. But have you ever wondered how much money the city makes from tourism? In this article, we’ll explore just that.

Overview of San Francisco’s Tourism Industry

San Francisco’s tourism industry is a major contributor to the city’s economy. In fact, it is one of the largest industries in the city, generating billions of dollars in revenue each year. According to a report by the San Francisco Travel Association, the city welcomed a record-breaking 25.8 million visitors in 2018 alone.

Breakdown of Tourist Spending

So how much money do tourists actually spend in San Francisco? According to the same report by the San Francisco Travel Association, visitors spent a total of $10 billion in 2018. This includes spending on accommodations, food and drink, transportation, shopping, and entertainment.

Here is a breakdown of tourist spending by category:

  • Accommodations: $3.5 billion
  • Food and Drink: $2.1 billion
  • Transportation: $1.9 billion
  • Shopping: $1.5 billion
  • Entertainment: $1 billion

As you can see, accommodations make up the largest portion of tourist spending in San Francisco.

Tourism’s Impact on Jobs and Taxes

The tourism industry also has a significant impact on job creation and tax revenue in San Francisco. According to the same report by the San Francisco Travel Association, tourism directly supports over 82,000 jobs in the city and generates over $950 million in local taxes.

In addition to these direct impacts, tourism also indirectly supports many other industries such as retail and construction.

The Future of Tourism in San Francisco

San Francisco’s tourism industry shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, the city is expected to continue to attract record-breaking numbers of visitors in the coming years.

However, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism industry has taken a hit worldwide. San Francisco has been no exception, with many hotels and restaurants forced to close temporarily or reduce their services. But as restrictions are lifted and people begin to travel again, it is likely that San Francisco’s tourism industry will bounce back.

Conclusion

Overall, San Francisco’s tourism industry is a vital part of the city’s economy. It generates billions of dollars in revenue each year and supports tens of thousands of jobs. While the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the industry in recent months, it is expected that San Francisco will continue to be a popular tourist destination for years to come.