2022 Travel Economic Impacts in Tuolumne County*
Total Travel Spending: $251 million
Lodging: $83.2 million
Food Service: $65.6 million
Food Stores: $15.7 million
Local Transportation & Gas: $23.6 million
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation: $27.8 million
Retail Sales: $26.3 million
State and Local Tax Revenue: $21.3 million
Total Local Tax Revenue (includes TOT): $10.5 million
Total State Tax Revenue: $10.8 million
Household Tax Offset: $954
Travel Industry Employment
Employment : 2,550 (does not include employment at Black Oak Casino Resort and Chicken Ranch Casino)
Employment Earnings: $97 million
*This data is provided by Dean Runyan Associates and is preliminary as of May 5, 2023.
What does Visit Tuolumne County (VTC) do for residents?
VTC builds revenue, creates jobs, and supports local businesses.
VTC promotes the region’s many lodging properties, attractions, local businesses and activities to persuade new and returning visitors to book overnight trips and increase in-market spending. Additionally, VTC is an advocate that gives small businesses a large voice in marketing.
Tourism spending lightens tax load on residents, creates jobs and opens doors for economic development. By collecting Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) from overnight guests, lodging properties in Tuolumne County contribute millions of dollars in tax revenues, which stay exclusively in the county. 82% of TOT funds pay for emergency services, roads and other County infrastructure.
Specifically, how much Return on Investment (ROI) is VTC generating?
The data speaks for itself.
What can I do to support VTC and the economic health of my county?
Speak up and share your support.
"Tourism is key to all of our businesses in Twain Harte, especially the summer months. Hopefully, more people will find out about our little piece of heaven and come to enjoy it as much as we do." - Carol Hancock, Owner of The Harte of the Kitchen
“Tourism to us means getting to see old and new friends from different towns, cities, states and even countries! We love to see them and are grateful for their support so we can continue to create memories for all who visit our mini golf course.” - Thomas and Courtney Atkins, Owners of Twain Harte Miniature Golf
About the Transient Occupancy Tax
- Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) is paid by visitors to our County and is a benefit to everyone who lives in Tuolumne County and the City of Sonora.
- Visit Tuolumne County is funded by 20% the collected TOT, allowing Tuolumne County to be marketed as a tourist destination across multiple channels nationwide and internationally.*
- 80% of the collected tax revenue goes towards infrastructure, parks and other important public services.
- TOT dollars are the only tax dollars that stay 100% local!
- The tax is collected from guests who stay at our local hotels, motels, B&Bs, vacation rentals, cabins and other short-term lodging.
- TOT is not a tax on businesses.
- The collection of TOT reduces the tax burden for local residents.
- TOT rate in Tuolumne County and in incorporated Sonora is 12%.
