July 5, 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

Hama Sushi Hosts Weekly Music and Comedy Open Mics

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The venue, a Venice Beach staple since 1979, has recently expanded its legendary happy hour to the entire patio Hama...

Connections Breakfast to Network Local Business Professionals in Malibu

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The event, sponsored by Malibu Country Mart, will feature a breakfast mixer where attendees can meet new contacts  A Connections...

12th Annual Gopher Scramble Golf Tournament to Benefit Venice Heritage Museum

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The museum opened to the public in March 2024 at the Main Street Design Center with its inaugural exhibition, “This...

Michael Madsen, Star of Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill, Dies at 67 in Malibu

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Actor Remembered for His Intense Performances and as a Poet  Actor Michael Madsen, known for his distinctive gravelly voice and...

Ruskin Group Theatre to Stage ‘The Fantasticks’

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

A timeless tale of young love and life’s bittersweet beauty, the show is reimagined with modern flair for contemporary audiences...

Film Review: F1: The Movie

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

FILM REVIEWF1: THE MOVIERated PG-13155 MinutesReleased June 27th F1: The Movie will envelop you in a racecar. You will be...

Big Blue Bus Launches Prohibition Order Program to Bolster Safety

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

The orders, which can range from 30 days to one year, target offenses that threaten the safety and comfort of...

Col. Eric Swenson Honored by LA for Historic Debris Removal Effort

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Swenson, with a distinguished military background including a Ph.D. and multiple master’s degrees from Penn State and other institutions, has...

(Video) A visit to New York Bagel & Deli in Santa Monica

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Authentic NY Style Bagels with Extra Creamy Cream Cheese and Multi-Cultural Desserts. Located at 2216 Wilshire Blvd. A visit to...

(Video) Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Go To Homefrontbuild.com For More Information @home_front_build Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles. Go...

(Video) Gladstone’s Malibu Prepares for Reopening after Surviving Palisades Fires

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

With One Half of its Structure Slightly Charred and Undergoing Repairs, Gladstone’s Malibu is Reopening its Patio Space Just in...

Santa Monica Public Library Launches Community Mapping Survey

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

The initiative aims to shape the library’s programs and services to better meet community needs, fostering an inclusive and accessible...

Third Street Promenade Loses Bibibop Asian Grill

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Bibibop opened at the Santa Monica location in 2017 after taking over a former ShopHouse space Bibibop Asian Grill, a...

Proposed Rebuilding Authority for Wildfire Recovery Sparks Local Control Debate

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Plan Aims to Streamline Rebuilding but Raises Questions Over Community Input A proposed “Resilient Rebuilding Authority” to oversee recovery from...

Pentagon Orders Troop Drawdown in LA: 150 National Guard Members Reassigned to Wildfire Duty

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Federal Forces Begin Partial Withdrawal From Protest Response as California Leaders Push Back U.S. Northern Command announced Tuesday that 150 National Guard...