Overview
The California tourism industry, arguably the nation’s largest at nearly $90 billion annually, has been through one of the most tumultuous decades in its history. The decade opened with tourism declines in early 2001 that escalated after the events of 9/11. Tourism levels recovered and grew from 2004–2006, then began a historic fall at the end of 2008 that remains in play today. California suffered a 4 percent decline in visitor volume and an 8 percent decline in visitor spending in 2009. Tourism 
Goals
- Encourage increased travel to California by fostering investment in advertising and improvements to tourism infrastructure, considering the important role of tourism in the state's economy and plans for economic recovery.
Major Victories
- Supported legislation signed into law that will create construction jobs building travel infrastructure (SB 1192).
- Backed a tourism industry effort that won approval of legislation providing a significant boost to funding to market California as a travel destination (AB 2592), helping the fourth largest employers in the state compete with other states and nations in attracting travelers and the resulting revenues and jobs.
Position
The California Chamber of Commerce promotes policies to increase travel visits within and to California to help stimulate the economy and provide jobs to Californians.