July 31, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Celebrating Santa Monica’s Travel & Tourism Industries:

Santa Monica Mayor Pro Tempore Tony Vazquez shook hands and snapped photos with tourists as well as residents with visiting friends and family at the Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau’s (SMCVB) Information Kiosk on Wednesday morning.

He was at the kiosk located at Palisades Park (1400 block) to help celebrate the start of the 32nd annual National Travel and Tourism Week, a week for highlighting the importance of tourism to Santa Monica.

“Tourism is one of the economic engines of Santa Monica,” Vazquez said. “And without tourism we wouldn’t be able to fund many of the social programs the city loves to support like our homeless shelter, youth centers, and supporting the public school system here.”

Other important city services that are aided by tourism through tax revenues are parks, infrastructure, and the police and fire departments.

“We’ve been fortunate enough to be able to provide assistance to the public schools and much of it comes from the TOT [Transient Occupancy Tax] that comes from tourism and the sales tax from tourists,” Vazquez said.

TOT from hotels generated more than $42 million to the City of Santa Monica’s general fund in 2013. Without tourism dollars, each Santa Monica household would pay an additional $1,108 annually to have the services Santa Monica provides its residents, according to SMCVB.

“This is the week of tourism, so for the whole week we’re going to have different events throughout the city celebrating tourism in Santa Monica,” Vazquez said.

SMCVB CEO/President Misti Kerns said many members of her team live in Santa Monica and have witnessed first-hand the direct benefits of tourism including the countless Santa Monica businesses and jobs that are touched by the economic activity visitors bring.

“Our mission is strategically focused on attracting visitors who bring the most economic benefits to Santa Monica with the least environmental impacts,” Kerns said. “However, it is exciting to think that the tourism halo effect may also be elevating Santa Monica’s reputation and spreading the long-term benefits of broader economic development across other industry sectors.”

On Thursday, May 14, SMCVB will continue the celebrations with its 6th annual Travel and Tourism Summit at the Fairmont Hotel & Bungalows.

During the event, SMCVB will release results from the 2014 Santa Monica Tourism Economic Impact Study, provide an update on its five-year strategic plan, discuss the future outlook of the city’s travel landscape and unveil the destination brand “Refresh.”

Key speakers will include Santa Monica Mayor Kevin McKeown, Visit California CEO/President Caroline Beteta, and representatives from SMCVB’s international agency partners.

Two breakout sessions will be held after the main program focusing on “Where in the world is…Santa Monica CVB: how SMCVB is strategically reaching the trade, media and consumers” and “Developing Customer-Centric Digital Experiences.”

For more information and to RSVP, visit www.santamonica.com/summit-invite.

in News
<>Related Posts

Family Members Sue City of Santa Monica, Driver After Woman Killed by Car on Beach

July 30, 2025

July 30, 2025

Lawsuit Alleges City Failed to Prevent Vehicle Access Despite Prior Incidents The family of Sherese Allen, a woman fatally struck...

New Beginnings in Brentwood: Dr. Marian Oppenheimer Opens Private Psychology Practice at wellpeople

July 30, 2025

July 30, 2025

For more than 30 years, Dr. Marian Oppenheimer has dedicated herself to one clear purpose: helping people heal, grow, and...

Wildfire Price Gouging Protections Extended for Displaced Residents

July 30, 2025

July 30, 2025

These provisions limit rent increases and hotel rate hikes during a declared emergency and prohibit landlords from evicting tenants The...

Tsunami Advisory Issued for Los Angeles Coast After 8.7 Quake Near Russia

July 29, 2025

July 29, 2025

Strong Currents, Surges Expected; Residents Urged to Avoid Beaches and Harbors Update from NWS Los Angeles at 6:50 a.m. “Latest...

City Council Removes DTSM Board Members Amid Transparency and Governance Concerns

July 29, 2025

July 29, 2025

The council’s decision follows tensions between DTSM and the city, including disputes over parking rate increases and maintenance agreements The...

SMPD to Increase Enforcement Against Illegal Off-Highway Vehicles

July 29, 2025

July 29, 2025

Officials stated that the increased enforcement comes in response to growing safety concerns and complaints from the community The Santa...

Mysterious Dog Deaths Plague Venice Canal Community

July 29, 2025

July 29, 2025

Over the past 10 days, five healthy neighborhood dogs have died unexpectedly, with one currently in the ICU The Venice...

Lane Closures Continue on Pacific Coast Highway for Recovery, Utility Work

July 29, 2025

July 29, 2025

Caltrans is urging drivers to slow down and use caution in the active work zones Single-lane closures will remain in...

Seven Santa Monica PAL Youth Receive $33.5K in Scholarships at Annual Celebration

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

Six graduating high school seniors and one junior were recognized during the outdoor ceremony, now in its 23rd year Seven...

Santa Monica Distributes Free Anti-Hate Posters and Signs to Promote Solidarity

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

The effort is part of the city’s broader equity and inclusion strategy In response to a rise in hate crimes...

Homecare Company Celebrates 14 years of Compassion While Planting New Roots After January Fire

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

Luxe Homecare, a leading provider of compassionate and reliable in-home care services for seniors has recently announced the opening of...

Wallis Annenberg, Visionary Philanthropist and Civic Leader, Dies at 86

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

Philanthropist Expanded Foundation’s Reach From Arts to Conservation Wallis Annenberg, a prominent philanthropist and longtime leader of the Annenberg Foundation,...

Malibu Teen to Paddle 21 Miles for Ocean Cleanup Following Pali Fire

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

His 21-mile prone paddle will trace the coastline from Malibu through Palisades A Malibu high school student and avid surfer...

Second Grenade Still Missing After Blast That Killed Three LA Sheriff’s Detectives

July 27, 2025

July 27, 2025

Only One Grenade Exploded; The Second Device Has Vanished Authorities said Friday that one of two grenades recovered last week...

More Than $50 Billion in Damage: What January’s Wildfire Cost the City of Los Angeles

July 27, 2025

July 27, 2025

Nearly 11,000 Properties, Many in Pacific Palisades, Affected; True Losses Likely Higher Nearly $52 billion in residential real estate across...