Tourism Sector Sees Some Small Gains Despite an Extra-Dry Year

A look at tourism and travel trends in some western states:

CALIFORNIA

After years of drought ended, marinas, houseboat renters and other water-related businesses report a good year. Overall, tourism and travel remain flat. For the first half of 1993, Los Angeles hotels were 61.3% occupied--up 0.7% from the same period in 1992.

HAWAII

Year-to-date travel through June was down 9.5% from Asia and 4.6% from the mainland United States. State officials are promoting high-tech and communications industries in hopes of broadening the economic base; 8% of the work force is directly tourism-related.

IDAHO

Vacation information inquiries were up 12.5% in the first quarter of 1993. Hotel employment was up 18.6% from January, 1989; motel and hotel tax revenues were up 11.5% this year.

UTAH

Hotel employment was up 22.8% from January, 1989. In the Salt Lake City area, the number of visitors went up 8.6% this year, while motel and hotel tax revenues gained 7.8%.

NEVADA

Even more tourist-dependent than Hawaii, with 24% of its workers in primary tourist industries. Casino expansion has moved so fast that construction accounts for 7% of the Nevada economy, compared with 4.2% nationally. Hotel employment was up 15% from January, 1989.