Mariposa, California
Sierra Sun Times file photo
May 14, 2024 - Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau officials report tourism spending continued to rise in Mariposa County in 2023 despite record-setting winter storms and related park closures from snowfall and flooding and the closure of two major highways into Yosemite National Park in early 2023. The suspension of temporary vehicle reservation requirements into Yosemite during in 2023 played a role in increased visitor spending.
2023 Visit California Economic Impact Report
In total, $433.2 million was spent by visitors to the county in 2023, up from $421.7 million in spending in 2022 according to The Economic Impact of Travel in California, a report published this week by Visit California and prepared by Dean Runyan Associates.
“Tourism has always played a significant role in Mariposa County’s economy and employment and 2023 was no different,” said Jonathan Farrington, CEO and Executive Director for the Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau. “Mariposa County & Yosemite has a small population, but it is a mighty county in the overall tourism picture in California. When looking at things from a per capita perspective, our county is one of the state’s leaders when it comes to revenue and taxes generated.”
Tourism-related jobs also rose in Mariposa County, up to 5,500 in 2023, which reflects a 34.1% increase in the workforce since 2019, the third-highest growth in the state over five years. Historically, tourism jobs in Mariposa County account for roughly 50% of the total workforce.
In taxable sales, Visitors spent $140 million in Mariposa County in 2023, 51.9% of all of the taxable spending. Out of 58 counties in California, that percentage was second highest in the state to Mono County where visitor spending accounts for 53.5% of all taxable sales.
Tax revenue per visitor breaks down to $6,053 per household in Mariposa County. This is the second-highest per-household figure in California behind Mono County. This income from outside of Mariposa County supports roads, public safety, and fire safety for the residents of Mariposa County.
Despite all of the improvements in visitor spending, jobs and visitor-generated taxable sales, Mariposa County is still working to return to its pre-pandemic spending totals of 2019 when the county saw visitors spend $464 million. When adjusting for inflation, $464 million in 2019 would be $566 million in 2023. There is more recovery work to be done to fuel Mariposa County's economy, and YMCTB is working hard to support economic growth Mariposa County.
Note: Dean Runyan Associates revised the 2021 and 2020 visitor spending totals reported in 2022’s report to more accurately reflect the impacts of short-term vacation rental spending following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau
