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Press Releases

	2/14/2006 - Tourism Continues to Thrive in Orange County

	Contacts: Elaine Cali, 714/765-8853 ecali@anaheimoc.org Juan Flores, 714/765-8854 jflores@anaheimoc.org

	Tourism Continues to Thrive in Orange County Hotel Occupancy Levels Hit All-Time High in 2005 ANAHEIM, Calif. (February 14, 2006) – Orange County experienced an increase in visitor attendance for the eighth consecutive year, welcoming 44.7 million people who spent a record $7.8 billion throughout the Orange County area in 2005, according to CIC Research, Inc. These figures indicate that the number of visitors to the area increased by 2.8 percent, surpassing the 43.5 million visitors in 2004, and spending increased 7.8 percent over the 2004 figure of $7.2 billion. Preliminary estimates from CIC Research, Inc. detail that of the $7.8 billion spent by visitors to the Anaheim/Orange County region last year, 29 percent was spent on meals and beverages, 25 percent on lodging and accommodations, 22 percent on shopping, 17 percent on amusement and attractions, and 5 percent on transportation. Two recent occupancy surveys indicate that 2005 was also a blockbuster year for Anaheim/Orange County area hotels. According to the STR Lodging Report, occupancy for Orange County hotels in 2005 was 74.3 percent, which placed it fourth in the nation’s top 25 metro markets. The recent PKF Consulting “Trends in the Hotel Industry” report announced Anaheim hotels hit 77.2 percent occupancy in 2005. “With this past year’s remarkable celebration of Disneyland’s 50th Anniversary, our “50 Days of Fall” promotion, a strong meetings market and a healthy national economy, our destination was able to achieve tremendous results in hotel occupancy and visitor spending. We are looking forward to this year being as robust as last, as we continue to aggressively market Anaheim and Orange County as a leading destination for both leisure and business travel,” stated Charles Ahlers, president of the Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau. Home to renowned beaches, world-famous theme parks and attractions, exciting professional sports, unique shopping, arts and cultural events, and award-winning restaurants, Southern California’s Anaheim/Orange County is a blend of sights and experiences complemented by warm sunshine. For more information about Anaheim/Orange County, visit anaheimoc.org or call 714/765-8888. ###

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