April 2014 visitor traffic increased by 28.8 percent over April 2013, according to figures recently released by the Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce.
This April’s cross-channel carrier traffic increased by 20.7 percent from last April and the cruise ship visitor count increased by 45.5 percent from April 2014.
Percentages can be misleading without the actual numbers. For example, two is 100 percent more than one.
In April 2013, there were 64,224 visitors to Catalina Island. In April 2014, there were 82,703 visitors.
April 2014 visitor traffic increased by 28.8 percent over April 2013, according to figures recently released by the Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce.
This April’s cross-channel carrier traffic increased by 20.7 percent from last April and the cruise ship visitor count increased by 45.5 percent from April 2014.
Percentages can be misleading without the actual numbers. For example, two is 100 percent more than one.
In April 2013, there were 64,224 visitors to Catalina Island. In April 2014, there were 82,703 visitors.
The year-to-date figures showed a 33.8 percent increase in visitors. There were 187,941 visitors from January to April of 2013. There were 251,541 (about a quarter million) visitors to the Island for the first four months of 2014.
Wayne Griffin, president and CEO of the Chamber, described the numbers as “huge.”
Griffin said increased visitor numbers were never the result of any one thing. He attributed part of the increase to better marketing efforts by the Chamber, Catalina Express and the Santa Catalina Island Company.
Griffin said the weather has been phenomenal, which always helps. He also said the continuing economic recovery was part of the cause.
He cited the addition of another cruise ship to the increased visitor counts.
As previously reported, a second Carnival vessel called the Imagination began visiting Catalina in January, joining the Inspiration.
Griffin said the Chamber spends very little money attracting the cruise lines.
Whatever the reason for the increased visitor counts, the news appears to be good for Avalon’s tourist-driven economy.
Griffin said the town is already booked full up to the Independence Day weekend.
He said that indicates the kind of summer Avalon will have.
