Discover Coronado News
DISCOVER CORONADO RELEASES 2023 ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY
Coronado’s convention sector continued its robust economic recovery last year – with group meetings generating $117.5 million in direct visitor spending for a total economic impact of $170.3 million – according to the 2023 impact report released by Discover Coronado.
That total translates to $322,000 in spending per day by groups meeting in Coronado. Each meeting attendee represents about $1,525 in spending during their meeting dates or $401 per visitor, per day.
Todd Little, executive director of Discover Coronado, the city’s official destination marketing organization, said, “overall group visitor spending in 2023 surpassed peak levels in 2018, with a total economic impact sustaining 989 jobs and generating $8.4 million in local tax revenues. In context, each household in Coronado would have to be taxed $1,300 to replace the $8.4 million received in local tax revenue.”
Coronado hosted more than 77,000 group meeting visitors in 2023, an increase of 3.5% over the prior year.
The report from Oxford Economics underscores the important economic impact of group meetings and conventions on Coronado – and the subsequent effect on local business, job retention and taxes collected by the City.
Additional findings from the new economic impact report revealed:
- The overall hotel occupancy rate was 66.1% in 2023, on par with 2022.
- Coronado hotel room nights sold improved 5.6%, an increase of approximately 22,000 room nights sold.
- Group room nights rose 3.8% in 2023.
- Groups alone support 11.4% of all jobs in Coronado.
Little notes that group travel is a vital economic resource for Coronado – since it funds the City of Coronado’s collection of Transient Occupancy Taxes (TOT). The City of Coronado projects TOT revenue for the 2023 fiscal year to reach $18.5 million.
“The TOT is the city’s second largest funding source. It is fundamental to Coronado’s quality of life – funding critical community services such as the local police and fire departments, libraries, trash collection, park and recreation programs and grants for local organizations,” he said. “Coronado’s economic health is dependent on a strong, but carefully managed group travel sector.”
To access the full report, visit: https://discovercoronado.com/impact/
Discover Coronado Helping to Employ Students
Coronado Times February 22, 2023
It’s never been easier for Coronado students to secure jobs. And learning about job openings has never been easier. Hiring representatives are meeting students at Coronado High School.
As they did in 2022, Discover Coronado is hosting two job fairs on March 16 and April 6, 2023. Students 16 and over will meet with human resources representatives from the Hotel del Coronado, Loews Coronado Bay Resort, Coronado Island Marriott Resort, and the Glorietta Bay Inn. A list of available positions and job applications will be available. The job fairs will begin at 12:15pm in the Multi-Purpose Room at Coronado High School.
Careers in hospitality and the hotel industry provide steady employment with lots of fun perks. Best of all, the jobs require almost no commute, and offer above-average wages. The jobs are deeply rewarding because they help guests fulfill “bucket list” visits to Coronado Island.
For seniors at Coronado High School, working after the school year shows initiative on college applications. Parents are encouraged to alert their children, so they can earn money on their own and learn monthly budgeting.
As Coronado’s official destination marketing organization, Discover Coronado attracts group meetings and overnight guests to Coronado. Doing so strengthens the local economy and creates jobs for residents throughout the island.
Contact Discover Coronado with questions about the job fairs at 619-319-5174.
Holiday Shopping Initiative Announced
Coronado Times June 29, 2022
The Advisory Board of Discover Coronado has approved a plan to help Coronado’s retail shops better compete this holiday against other San Diego shopping districts and online vendors such as Amazon. A collaboration between Discover Coronado, the City of Coronado, the Coronado Chamber of Commerce and Coronado MainStreet has been established to make the City’s downtown and holiday tree more festive during December.
The 100-foot-tall pine tree in Rotary Park continues to outgrow its existing strand of holiday lights. The result leaves vast portions of the tree undecorated. Discover Coronado and the City of Coronado will split the cost of fully decorating the entire tree with a new lighting design, something that hasn’t been done in decades. The historic tree will be adorned for the entire holiday shopping season, debuting on Friday December 2nd, following Coronado Holiday Parade.
The local organizations leading this project believe tastefully enhancing the tree in Rotary Park during the season will elevate the holiday spirit on Orange Avenue, where many of locally owned shops are situated.
Coronado MainStreet will also contribute to the initiative by launching efforts that encourage a “Shop Local” mindset.
This latest initiative is a key part of Discover Coronado’s ongoing support for the Coronado community, including:
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The annual wrapping of Coronado’s Free Summer Shuttle service since its inception nine years ago. This year, Discover Coronado underwrote the cost to redesign the exterior wrapping to include an iconic mural that once graced the Cora Mart building on Orange Avenue.
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Extended the funding of the vibrant art banners that line Orange Avenue. These banners add a pop of color throughout the year and spotlight Coronado’s non-profit organizations.
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Discover Coronado helps fund a variety of smaller projects on the island, including the Promenade Concert Series, the student Jog-A-Thon that benefits Coronado Elementary School PTO and a September basketball event benefitting the Warrior Foundation, Freedom Station.
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Community beautification is also key to Discover Coronado’s mission – benefitting residents and visitors alike. The organization has funded on a study to beautify Orange Avenue – Coronado’s gateway. Short term improvements include unifying mismatched items like benches, bike racks, trash cans; and adding additional lighting and flower planters.
Cameras Donated by Discover Coronado
Coronado Times January 23, 2023
Continuing to keep Coronado safe for visiting groups, guests and residents, Discover Coronado, the City of Coronado’s official destination marketing organization, has budgeted tens of thousands of dollars for safety initiatives since 2019.
Most recently, four state-of-the-art cameras were donated by Discover Coronado to strengthen the ability of Coronado’s Emergency Operations Center. Perched atop both the Hotel del Coronado and Loews Coronado Bay Resort, the cameras will help monitor unsafe wave activity, rising tides, police activity and vessel traffic – all typically difficult to track in portions of San Diego Bay and the Pacific.
According to Todd Little, executive director of Discover Coronado, “These cameras will be of tremendous help, reducing the risk of catastrophic coastal destruction and other dangers.” The Hotel del Coronado and Loews Coronado Bay Resort have donated roof-top space for the cameras as well as related apparatus and are covering the costs of annual electricity needed for it all to function smoothly.
“Tools, tactics and training are the three keys to destination safety,” Little added. “Improving the desirability of Coronado as a destination is a core mission of Discover Coronado. Enhancing and reinforcing safety efforts here is critical, and we are committed to supporting the needs of local police, the fire department, and lifeguards.“
Additional safety programs Discover Coronado has recently funded include:
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Seminars focusing on de-escalation techniques for hotel security teams and Coronado police officers.
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Encrypted wi-fi for all emergency communications at the Coronado Island Marriott Resort.
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Opticom surveillance cameras at the Hotel del Coronado, Loews Coronado Bay Resort and Coronado Island Marriott so Coronado’s emergency vehicles to have immediate access to resort property as well as the ability to leave quickly for other emergencies in the city.
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Training for hotel security and Coronado public safety teams pertaining to human and sex trafficking.
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An upgraded radio system at the Glorietta Bay Inn to streamline communications between staff, front desk, and Coronado public safety teams.
