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<br /> <br /> <br /> 2 Park Plaza, Suite 100 | Irvine, CA 92614| P 949.476.2242 | F 949.476.0443 | www.ocbc.org <br /> <br /> <br />November 17, 2020 <br /> <br />The Honorable Miguel Pulido <br />Mayor <br />City of Santa Ana <br />20 Civic Center Plaza <br />Santa Ana, CA 92701 <br /> <br />RE:OCBC Support for Santa Ana Tourism Marketing District <br /> <br />DearMayor Pulido and Councilmembers, <br /> <br />Orange County Business Council (OCBC), the leading voice of business in Orange <br />County, is proud to support the formation of the Santa Ana Tourism Marketing <br />District (SATMD). <br /> <br />Now more than ever, Orange County’s tourism industry needs support from local <br />governments to help businesses thrive again. The proposed SATMD would provide a <br />stable funding source for valuable marketing efforts encouraging people to visit Santa Ana, <br />increasing occupancy and room rates for lodging businesses at a critical time. <br /> <br />In 2018, tourism generated over 50 million visitors, accounting for $13 billion in spending, <br />and directly employing over 179,000 jobs in Orange County. Since this time last year, <br />Orange County has lost 75,400 leisure and hospitality jobs. Santa Ana and its numerous <br />destinations have a critical role to play in the rebounding of this vital industry after the <br />devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. On average, destinations increased their <br />tourism funding by 192 percent after the formation of a tourism district. The establishment <br />of the SATMD promotes Santa Ana as an even more desirable location for overnight visits. <br /> <br />OCBC recognizes how significant tourism is in supporting Orange County’s workforce and <br />quality of life. While COVID-19 has decimated many businesses who depend on tourism, <br />the SATMD would be a step in the right direction with clear benefits for hotel owners, cities, <br />destinations and the overall local economy. <br /> <br />OCBC respectfully requests the City Council approve the formation of the SATMD. <br /> <br />Sincerely, <br />Jennifer Ward <br />Senior Vice President of Advocacy & Government Affairs <br /> <br />cc:Councilmembers,City of Santa Ana <br />THE LEADING VOICE OF BUSINESS IN ORANGE COUNTY <br />