“The reopening of California has allowed our industry to take a giant step toward recovery,” says Jay Burress, president and CEO for Visit Anaheim.
A recovery it is, as Visit Anaheim in California confirmed the city has 55 events for the second half of 2021. These events will bring more than $231 million in local economic impact and generate roughly $2.9 million in tourism occupancy tax for the city.
In the next six months, Anaheim Convention Center has 19 events scheduled, anticipated to draw more than 105,000 attendees and occupy more than 62,000 room nights. Some of the booked events include VidCon, Specialty Advertising Association of California, Evolution of Psychotherapy and American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.
Visit Anaheim will welcome 187,000 attendees and procure more than 95,000 room nights. As the city continues to capture more business, these numbers are only expected to grow.
“Despite the pandemic, our destination has seen tremendous development in the last year, including the opening of three new AAA Four Diamond hotels, the first outside of Disneyland Resort,” says Junior Tauvaa, chief sales officer for Visit Anaheim. “These luxury offerings expand Anaheim’s hotel portfolio and attract a new wave of clientele.”
In addition to no longer requiring masks, physical distancing or temperature checks, Disneyland also opened itself up to out-of-state visitors, a restriction it had in place since reopening April 30. Certain attractions, rides and restaurants will be returning over the next month, but others will remain closed for an indefinite period.
In the first half of 2021, Anaheim welcomed 33 events to the destination, which will mean a total of 88 events for the year, bringing in $248 million in local impact. “After 15 months, events are once again occupying the halls of the Anaheim Convention Center and bringing in much-needed business to our hotels, restaurants and attractions,” Burress adds.
