Summer Business Brings Revenue to National City

NATIONAL CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This summer exceeded expectations with many of the hoteliers in National City reporting both an increase in rooms sold as well as an increase in the average price of rooms.

“We have seen growth in the retail industry as well in increased traffic to hotels and that tells me that people are feeling more comfortable spending their income on tourism, leisure and recreation.”

Hotels in National City have also reported a huge increase in local business travelers this summer. According to Smith Travel Research, occupancy rates in National City are up 2.7 percent and revenue is up 11 percent for June through August in all of the hotels in the area.

The Holiday Inn Express reports an increase of 8.8 percent on room nights from summer 2012 as compared to summer 2011.

“This is a sign that businesses in the area are doing very well and winning government contracts and, therefore, the need to travel has picked up,” said Jacqueline Reynoso, CEO of the National City Chamber.

Reynoso believes the economy is taking a turn and tourism is on the upswing.

“We are seeing an overall increase year-over-year in sales in National City,” said Reynoso. “We have seen growth in the retail industry as well in increased traffic to hotels and that tells me that people are feeling more comfortable spending their income on tourism, leisure and recreation.”

A report by Beacon Economics released recently echoes Reynoso’s remarks. It states that the economy in San Diego will experience a faster recovery than the rest of Southern California, because of a boost in tourism and expansion in professional services is pushing the recovery.

According to the Beacon Economics report, hotel room rates in San Diego County are up 9 percent since 2009, while the average nightly room rate increased nearly 1.7 percent to $128.47.

Orchestrated by the new National City Tourism Marketing District, National City is now promoting itself with a multifaceted media strategy with the goal of promoting tourism growth in the area and branding National City as an ideal place for visitors to stay, shop, dine and explore.

The 12 hotels in the National City Tourism and Marketing District are Best Western Marina Gateway, Carlill Auto Court, Clarion Hotel South Bay, Grand Plaza Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Howard Johnson Express, National City Motel, Paradise Motel, Rodeway Inn, Stardust Inn, Super 8 Motel and Sweetwater Inn.

The city itself offers plenty of tourist spots and recreational amenities from museums to parks and shopping plus a gorgeous waterfront with boat slips. For more information, visit the campaign’s newly launched site at www.VisitNationalCity.com.