The visitor count for November 2019 was greater than that of the same time in 2018, according to statistics recently released by the Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce & Visitor’s Bureau.
But the year- to year numbers weren’t so good.
“November visitation increased year-over-year in all but one sector, resulting in a total increase of 16.2% over the same month last year,” according to the Chamber website.
“Year-to-date total arrivals = 964,582 down 3.3% from last year which was 997,893,” according to the Chamber website.
“Year-to-date total arrivals is below the five-year average of 994,223 by 3.0%,” according to the Chamber website.
“Year-to-date total arrivals is above the ten-year average of 884,676 by 9.0%,” according to the Chamber website.
November versus November
“November total in-bound passengers = 70,062, up from last year @ 68,276. November 2019 was above the three-year average of 68,823. November was just below the five-year average of 70,310 and exceeded ten-year average @ 59,859,” according to the website.
That’s the good news.
The bad news is that 2019 has “underperformed” previous years, according to the Chamber’s data. “Primary factors have been weather and facility closure. Early in the year, poor weather resulted in both Cross Channel and Cruise Ship cancellations and in fewer boaters in the harbor. November tracked growth in all but one travel sector over last year,” according to the Chamber’s website.
Visitors by sea
“Avalon’s combined Cruise & Cross Channel in-bound passenger counts for November totaled 64,123, up 13.8% from 2018. Total people arriving by sea, including private boaters, was 67,792 for the month, up 16.8% from 58,034 last year,” according to the Chamber.
Cruise ship visits continue to be controversial with residents as the number of cruise ship visitors can significantly impact Avalon’s quality of life. However, local business owners and managers, and the Chamber, see cruise ships as an important source of revenue for both the community and the city.
“Cruise passenger counts were up 45.8% year-over-year @ 21,436,” said the Chamber website.
To put that number in context, remember that the city government’s website puts the population of Avalon “around 4,000.”
“The number of Cruise Ships calling on Avalon was up @ 8 vs. 6 in November of 2018,” according to the Chamber website.
“November passenger counts were below the five-year average of 23,482 by 8.7%,” according to the Chamber website.
Private boat passenger traffic also increased.
“Private Boater passenger counts were up 5.3% @ 3,669,” according to the Chamber website.
By air
Air traffic also increased.
“People aboard planes (Airport in the Sky) was up 18.9% year-over-year @ 1,545,” according to the Chamber website.
“People aboard Charter Helicopters was down year-over-year 23.1% @ 725,” according to the Chamber website.
The website noted that the Island’s airport was closed from January to May in 2019.
