San Diego

First-time and younger visitors made up a larger number of this spring’s tourists in San Diego, according to a report from the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau.

With Seaport Village and Horton Plaza increasing in popularity among tourists, the San Diego Zoo, the harbor, Old Town and Sea World retained their rankings as the top four attractions with the tourists who were interviewed.

One-fifth of all tourists visited Tijuana despite the traffic problems at the border city.

While the percentage of visitors who were in the city on vacation this spring rose to 80% from 71% in 1985, the number of visitors who were here on business declined by 9%.

Lower air fares contributed to the rising number of tourists who chose air travel. Because fewer people drove to the city, the car rental business also increased in popularity.

Despite the younger crowds visiting the city, the average visitor remained affluent, according to the survey. The median household income of tourists was $34,661.

More than 20% of the visitors who remain overnight stayed in a private household. The visitors who stayed in hotels spent an average of $70 per night on hotel accommodations, which remains relatively unchanged from last’s years average of $69.

Most tourists stated that they would make a return visit because of the city’s variety of attractions. More than 55% of those polled planned to return within the next two years.

C.I.C. Research conducts the visitor survey by interviewing tourists. The survey, which started 10 years ago, is conducted every month.