California A Tourist Destination For Neighboring States

Sonora, CA -- More travelers from neighboring states are looking at California as a destination.

A new study from the California Travel and Tourism Commission shows that last fall 44.7 percent of those surveyed intended to travel to California within the next year. In January, the number was up to 47.8 percent.

“We don't know what the international market is going to do, but with domestic travelers I think we will do just fine,” says Nanci Sikes, Director of the Tuolumne County Visitors Bureau.

Nationwide, 20.1 percent surveyed in the fall intended to travel to California, and the percentage remained steady at 20.3 percent last month. Also during the fall, 71 percent of California residents indicated that they would take an in-state trip in the next year, while the number was up to 74.4 percent last month.

Internationally the numbers are down. Tourists arriving from overseas decreased by 12.5 percent late last year at California airports.

Written by bjhansen@mlode.com