The April 2024 visitor count increased by more than 15% compared with April 2023, according to data recently released by Love Catalina Island Tourism Authority.
“April visitation increased year-over-year by 15.3% or 12,833 visitors with 96,442 total arrivals,” according to the Love Catalina website.
“April’s total arrival count was above the three, five and ten-year averages by 7.2%, 43.6% and 25.6% respectively,” according to Love Catalina.
“Passengers arriving by sea, totaled 93,714, up for the month by 16.2% from last year,” according to Love Catalina.
“Cross Channel Passenger counts were down 6.3%, a decrease of 3,421 people,” according to Love Catalina.
“April Cross Channel Passenger counts were below the three and ten-year averages by 12.2% and 0.8% respectively but above the five-year average by 9.7%,” according to Love Catalina.
“Cross Channel Passengers made up 53.09% of total monthly arrivals,” according to Love Catalina.
“Cruise passenger counts totaled 40,118, up by 74.9% from 2023 or by 17,168 visitors,” according to Love Catalina.
“2024 had the highest Cruise Passenger volume for the month @ 40,118,” according to Love Catalina.
The City Council discussed increasing cruise ship wharfage fees in early June 2024. At that time, one resident objected to the cruise ships. (See “Avalon looks at cruise ship fee,” at thecatalinaislander.com.)
Staff will bring the matter back on a future council agenda.
“Private Boater Passenger counts totaled 2,392, down from 3,068 last year or by 22.0% or 676 visitors,” according to Love Catalina.
“Private Boaters Made up 2.47% of total monthly arrivals,” according to Love Catalina.
“2024 had the highest number of Vessels Anchored @ 115,” according to Love Catalina.
“April’s number of Vessels on Moorings was down 22.0% from last year or by 169 boats,” according to Love Catalina.
“Combined in-bound air passenger counts for April totaled 2,756, down 9.1% or 277 Arrivals from 2023,” according to Love Catalina.
“Private Aircraft Passengers (Airport in the Sky) totaled 1,479, down 19.0% or by 348 passengers vs. last year,” according to Love Catalina.
“Helicopter Passenger counts totaled 1,249, up year-over-year by 8.0% or 92 arrivals,” according to Love Catalina.
“Helicopter Passengers made up 1.30% of total monthly arrivals,” according to Love Catalina.
