Brits lead San Francisco tourism boom
The San Francisco Travel Association, the official tourism marketing organisation for the City and County of San Francisco, has announced the city welcomed 2,872,000 international visitors in 2011, an increase of nearly ten percent over 2010.
The figure also represents an increase of nearly 30 per cent over 2009.
The United Kingdom remains the number one market for San Francisco, with more than 300,000 visitors in 2011, a nine per cent increase over 2010, official statistics reveal.
In June 2012, the Office of Travel & Tourism Industries (OTTI) released the international visitation numbers for San Francisco which showed a significant increase in both market share and visitor volume from previous years.
Europe continues to be the largest overseas market for San Francisco, with nearly 1.5 million visitors in 2011, representing an 11.6 per cent market share and an increase of nearly 17 per cent over 2010.
After the UK, Germany is a close second with 275,000 visitors in 2011, representing an 8.5 per cent increase over 2010.
The third largest European market is France with 265,000 visitors in 2011, an eight per cent increase from 2010.
Asia is the second largest overseas market for San Francisco, representing more than 800,000 visitors in 2011.
Nearly a quarter of these visitors came from China, which represents an 18.2 per cent market share for San Francisco.
Oceania is the third largest overseas market for San Francisco.
In 2011, San Francisco welcomed 228,000 visitors from Australia, representing a 22 per cent market share.
The fourth largest overseas market for San Francisco is South America, with 169,000 visitors in 2011, an increase of nearly 45 per cent over 2010.
“The continued growth in the overseas market is a positive sign that our economy is improving and that San Francisco continues to be a desirable destination for both business and leisure travellers,” said Joe D’Alessandro, San Francisco Travel president.
“We are extremely fortunate to have been the host city for the U.S. Open in June of this year and look forward to welcoming the America’s Cup World Series later this summer and the America’s Cup in 2013, which will attract even more visitors to San Francisco.”