CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

97

CHAPTER 84

Statutes of 2026

Introduced by Senator Ochoa Bogh

(Coauthors: Senators Allen, Alvarado-Gil, Arreguín, Ashby, Blakespear, Caballero, Choi, Dahle, Durazo, Grove, Hurtado, Jones, McGuire, McNerney, Niello, Padilla, Reyes, Seyarto, Stern, Strickland, Valladares, Wahab, and Grayson)

April 20, 2026

Relative to California Tourism Month.

Fiscal committee: no

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

This measure would proclaim the month of May 2026 as California Tourism Month and would urge the citizens of this great state to support tourism and local businesses by traveling in the state as an act of civic pride.

WHEREAS, Tourism serves as a catalyst for California’s economic growth and workforce development; and

WHEREAS, A robust travel industry provides significant economic benefits for California, generating more than $158.9 billion in tourism-related spending in 2025; and

WHEREAS, Visitor spending provides substantial benefit to all Californians, yielding $13.6 billion in state and local tax revenue in 2025 that is indispensable for underwriting essential public services and programs; and

WHEREAS, Travel and tourism is a multifaceted sector that provides diverse career pathways and remains foundational to a healthy labor market, having contributed 4,350 new jobs to bring the total workforce to 1,200,000 in 2025; and

WHEREAS, Travel and tourism-dependent businesses and organizations, of which 89 percent are small businesses, are responsible for welcoming visitors from around the world to explore California and all our state has to offer; and

WHEREAS, The industry-funded marketing efforts of Visit California have been instrumental in maintaining the state’s position as the nation’s leading tourism economy, outperforming national benchmarks and inviting global visitors to experience California as the ultimate playground; and

WHEREAS, Despite global uncertainty, the Golden State remains the most welcoming destination in the country, where all are respected no matter their race, religion, sexuality, gender, physical or mental ability, or beliefs; and

WHEREAS, California’s strength lies in its diversity, and the state is committed to building a more inclusive and unified travel community for its residents and visitors alike; and

WHEREAS, In 2016, the Legislature declared every May as California Tourism Month to celebrate the positive economic impact of tourism in California; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby reaffirms the month of May 2026 as California Tourism Month and urges the citizens of this great state to support tourism and local businesses by traveling in the state as an act of civic pride; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.