At its meeting on May 14, the Tulare County Board of Supervisors (BOS) issued a proclamation declaring the week of May 19 through 24 as 2024 National Travel and Tourism Week. The proclamation has been presented annually for the last several years to shed light on the critical impact tourism and travel have on Tulare County’s economic vitality in ways that positively impact various other local industries. According to data from the 2023 Economic Impact Report from Visit California, there were 6.1 thousand travel-related jobs in Tulare County, and travel-related spending in the County reached $594.2 million, with state and local tax revenue reaching $53.4 million. While the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected the County’s tourism
industry, sinking travel-related spending to roughly $284.1 million at one point, that number has now recovered to more than $500 million. The top-performing travel-related industries relate to food service, entertainment and accommodations.
The County of Tulare’s Economic Development Office (EDO) has long collaborated with local tourism initiatives and manages the County’s Discover Tulare County marketing effort. The EDO is a supporting member of the Sequoia Tourism Council, a regional tourism effort including Tulare County municipalities, chambers of commerce, and partners from the Sequoia National Park and the Sequoia National Forest.
"Tourism continues to attract new development, create local jobs, and support existing businesses,” says Michael Washam, ACE, Associate Director of the Tulare County Resource Management Agency. In January of 2023, the Sequoia Tourism Council received $40,000 of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds from the County of Tulare. The County also presented $40,000 in ARPA funding to Mighty 190, South Valley-focused tourism effort spearheaded in the Porterville and Springville area, which the County also participates in.
“We are working with our partners to promote tourism within all of Tulare County,” says Washam. The County’s geography covers nearly 5,000 square miles and boasts multiple gateway locations with direct access to the Giant Sequoias through the Sequoia National Park and the Sequoia National Forest. Tulare County is world-renowned for the natural wonders in the County, and the welcoming small-town charm of its communities and its numerous farm-to-table dining opportunities continue to attract domestic and international visitors.
To emphasize the economic and business impacts of tourism to local business owners and hospitality partners, the EDO collaborated with the Sequoia Tourism Council to host an educational Concierge College in April at the Galaxy Theatre in Tulare. The event focused on educating travel-related employers on surrounding historical landmarks and museums, outdoor destinations, local parks, and family-friendly events and arts and entertainment opportunities.