Some new tax figures show the continuing devastating impacts of COVID-19 on the tourism industry on the Central and South Coasts.
The City of Santa Barbara is reporting that its transient occupancy tax collected in December was down 65% from the year before. The tax is the one collected on hotel room stays, and is a good indicator if how busy motels, and hotels are in the community.
Santa Barbara officials say the lodging industry was hit by a combination of issues. Public Health officials advised people to stay at home. The surge in COVID-19 cases discouraged many people from holiday travel. And, the state’s stay at home order meant that leisure travel was technically banned, although the order was in effect unenforceable.