May 2022 visitor count better than last year

File photo by Andrew Ficke

However, data shows some declines

More individuals visited Catalina in May 2022 than they did in May 2019, according to numbers recently released by Love Catalina Island Tourism Authority (the local Chamber).

Love Catalina hasn’t yet released the visitor June count.

The business group gets a percentage of Avalon’s transient occupancy (short term rental) tax. “Total year-to-date arrivals are up from last year by 61.5%,” according to the Love Catalina website.

“Year-to-date Total Arrivals were up @ 355,639 vs. 220,246 last year or a difference of 135,393 visitors,” according to the website.

“May 2022’s total of 97,699 exceeded May 2019’s pre COVID-19 impacted total arrivals of 80,055 by 17,635 visitors,” according to the website.

“May’s total in-bound passenger count was above the three, five and ten-year averages of 61,294, 70,618 and 79,156 respectively,” according to Love Catalina.

“Passengers arriving by sea, totaled 94,379 for the month and were up 24.2% from last year,” according to Love Catalina.

Sea travel is the most common way for individuals to travel to the Island.

That said: “Cross Channel Passenger counts were down year-over-year by 4.5% or a decrease of 3,193 people,” according to Love Catalina.

“Cross Channel Passengers made up 69.4% of total monthly arrivals,” according to Love Catalina.

“Cruise passenger counts totaled 21,850” in May 2022, according to Love Catalina.

“There were no cruise passengers in May 2021,” according to Love Catalina.

“The number of Cruise Ships calling on Avalon was 11,” according to Love Catalina.

“Private Boater Passenger counts were down from last year @ 4.730 vs. 4,992,” according to Love Catalina.

“Private Boaters Made up 4.84% of total monthly arrivals,” according to Love Catalina.

“May’s number of Vessels Anchored was down @ 63 vs 82 last year,” according to Love Catalina.

“Combined in-bound air passenger counts for May totaled 3,383 up from 3,272 in 2021,” according to Love Catalina.

“Private Aircraft Passengers (Airport in the Sky) were up @ 1,530 vs 1,197 last year,” according to Love Catalina.

“May Private Aircraft Passengers made up 1.57% of total monthly arrivals,” according to Love Catalina.

“Helicopter Passenger counts were down year-over-year @ 1,781 vs. 1,987,” according to Love Catalina.

Lodging numbers

“Hotel Occupancy for May was 73.2% vs. 68.6% in 2021,” according to Love Catalina, which cited Smith Travel and AIRDNA as their sources.

“Short-Term Rental Occupancy for May was down 10% @ 55% vs 61.3% in 2021,” according to Love Catalina, which cited Smith Travel and AIRDNA as their sources.

What’s your favorite way to travel to Catalina? Email: editor@thecatlinaislander.com.