By Charles M. Kelly
October 2024 saw a 16.8% decrease in visitor traffic compared with October 2023, according to data released by Love Catalina Tourism Authority. November data was released this week and is scheduled to be covered in next week’s edition of the Islander.
(Visitors should know that the Tourism Authority is not a government agency. It’s the name of the local Chamber of Commerce.)
“October’s total arrival count was below the three, five and ten-year averages by 8.6%, 0.2% and 3.8% respectively. Multi-year averages are greatly impacted by COVID-19 related downturns. Cross Channel Counts above include 2,391 arrivals at Two Harbors this year and 2,399 last year,” according to the Love Catalina Island website.
“Passengers arriving by sea in October totaled 79,999, down for the month by 17.2 from last year,” according to Love Catalina.
“Cross Channel Passenger counts were down 1.9%, a decrease of 1,045 people. Cross Channel Counts above include arrivals at Two Harbors,” according to Love Catalina.
“2020 had the highest volume for the month @ 57,383 passengers,” according to Love Catalina.
“2000 had the lowest volume for the month @ 31,323 passengers,” according to Love Catalina.
“Cross Channel Passengers made up 64.79% of total monthly arrivals,” according to Love Catalina.
“Cruise passenger counts totaled 22,449, down by 40.4% from 2023 or by 15,219 visitors,” according to Love Catalina.
“2023 had the highest Cruise Passenger volume for the month @ 37,668,” according to Love Catalina.
“2020 had the lowest Cruise Passenger volume for the month @ 0,” according to Love Catalina.
“October Cruise Passenger counts were below the three-year average by 21.1% but above the five and ten-year averages by 18.7% and 0.4% respectively,” according to Love Catalina.
“Cruise Passengers made up 27.40% of total monthly arrivals,” according to Love Catalina.
“The number of Cruise Ships calling on Avalon in October was 7,” according to Love Catalina.
“2023 had the highest number of ships calling @ 14,” according to Love Catalina.
“Private Boater Passenger counts totaled 4,456, down by 7.9 from 4,840 last year or by 384 visitors,” according to the website.
“2020 had the highest passenger volume for the month @ 7,736,” according to the website.
“2024 had the lowest passenger volume month @ 4,456,” according to the website.
“October Private Boater Passenger counts were below the three, five and ten-year averages by 8.3%, 18.4% and 20.1% respectively Private Boaters made up 5.44% of total monthly arrivals,” according to the website.
“October’s number of Vessels Anchored was up by 44.9% from last year or by 79 boats,” according to the website.
“2024 had the highest number of Vessels Anchored @ 255,” according to the website.
“2011 had the lowest number of Vessels Anchored @ 10,” according to the website.
“October was above the three, five and ten-year averages by 41.1%, 74.9% and 80.1% respectively,” according to the website.
“October’s number of Vessels on Moorings was down 7.0% from last year or by 96 boats,” according to the website.
“2020 had the highest number of Vessels on Moorings @ 1,934,” according to the website.
“2014 had the lowest number of Vessels on Moorings @ 1,114,” according to the website.
“October was below the three, five and ten-year averages by 8.3%, 18.4% and 20.1% respectively,” according to the website.
“Combined in-bound air passenger counts for October totaled 1,975, up 2.8% or 53 Arrivals from 2023,” the website said.
“Private Aircraft Passengers (Airport in the Sky) totaled 1,113, down 4.1% or by 48 passengers vs. last year,” the website said.
“2011 had the highest volume for the month @ 1,777,” the website said.
“2024 the lowest volume for the month @ 1,113,” the website said.
“October’s Private Aircraft Passenger count was below the three, five and ten-year averages by 8.8%, 21.1% and 21.1% respectively,” the website said.
“Private Aircraft Passengers made up 1.40% of total monthly arrivals,” the website said.
