Tourism leaders say major events and Omni La Costa relaunch will boost Carlsbad economy
May 21, 2024 | Carlsbad, San Diego County, California
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Kim Sidoriac told the Carlsbad Economic Development Subcommittee that tourism remains a central pillar of the city’s economy and highlighted several near-term events she expects will increase visitor spending.
The update, given during National Travel and Tourism Week, noted that the U.S. travel industry is about $2.6 trillion and supports roughly 15 million jobs nationwide. Sidoriac said Carlsbad’s 2023 transient occupancy tax collections were $33,700,000 and that the recent NCAA Division I men’s and women’s golf championships at Omni La Costa (May 15–29) brought an estimated 4,000 room nights to the city and generated substantial broadcast exposure.
Why it matters: Hotel taxes and visitor spending fund city services and support local businesses, and large events can materially boost short-term revenue for hotels, restaurants and retailers.
Sidoriac said Omni La Costa completed a major redesign and renovations to guest accommodations and the coastal events center; she added those renovations had left about 200 rooms out of service through April, which reduced short-term group capacity but that a relaunch in May would restore inventory. She also said the California Cup golf industry event brought 45 international tour operators to the city and raised $15,000 for the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation.
Committee members asked how group travel has changed since the pandemic. Sidoriac replied that trends vary by sector: health care, finance and some technology sectors are returning for in-person programs, while other markets have shifted to smaller or different formats. She said meeting planners increasingly prioritize outdoor space, wellness amenities and sustainability, trends she believes play to Carlsbad’s strengths.
The presentation included hotel-performance figures — Sidoriac said 2024 occupancy was up about 1 percent versus 2023, average daily rate was down about 1 percent, and revenue per available room showed an increase but the exact percentage was not specified in the transcript.
Next steps: Sidoriac said tourism partners expect group business growth into late 2024 and 2025 as renovated properties regain full capacity.
The update, given during National Travel and Tourism Week, noted that the U.S. travel industry is about $2.6 trillion and supports roughly 15 million jobs nationwide. Sidoriac said Carlsbad’s 2023 transient occupancy tax collections were $33,700,000 and that the recent NCAA Division I men’s and women’s golf championships at Omni La Costa (May 15–29) brought an estimated 4,000 room nights to the city and generated substantial broadcast exposure.
Why it matters: Hotel taxes and visitor spending fund city services and support local businesses, and large events can materially boost short-term revenue for hotels, restaurants and retailers.
Sidoriac said Omni La Costa completed a major redesign and renovations to guest accommodations and the coastal events center; she added those renovations had left about 200 rooms out of service through April, which reduced short-term group capacity but that a relaunch in May would restore inventory. She also said the California Cup golf industry event brought 45 international tour operators to the city and raised $15,000 for the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation.
Committee members asked how group travel has changed since the pandemic. Sidoriac replied that trends vary by sector: health care, finance and some technology sectors are returning for in-person programs, while other markets have shifted to smaller or different formats. She said meeting planners increasingly prioritize outdoor space, wellness amenities and sustainability, trends she believes play to Carlsbad’s strengths.
The presentation included hotel-performance figures — Sidoriac said 2024 occupancy was up about 1 percent versus 2023, average daily rate was down about 1 percent, and revenue per available room showed an increase but the exact percentage was not specified in the transcript.
Next steps: Sidoriac said tourism partners expect group business growth into late 2024 and 2025 as renovated properties regain full capacity.
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