ONTARIO,
Calif., May 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- For
Ontario International Airport
(ONT) and GOCAL (Greater Ontario California), National
Transportation Week (May 12-18) and
National Travel & Tourism Week (May
19-25) are opportunities to showcase Southern California's fastest-growing
destination.
Tourism is a multibillion-dollar enterprise in the Inland
Empire, accounting for more than 180,000 jobs and generating nearly
a half-billion dollars in tax revenues to support essential
services. At the heart of this robust industry sector is
Greater Ontario, home to ONT,
California's most popular airport,
as well as the Ontario Convention
Center, Toyota Arena and the largest number of hotels and
restaurants in the IE. Future developments such as the Brightline
West high-speed rail system and planned expansion of the
Ontario Convention Center will
only enhance the region's marketability.
"The word is out: The Inland Empire and Greater Ontario are the place to be when it
comes to experiencing what Southern
California has to offer. Our location, our great natural
amenities and the investment that has been made in creating a
vibrant and dynamic destination are attracting millions of people a
year and creating a buzz around the U.S. and around the world,"
said Michael Krouse, GOCAL chief
executive officer.
Research conducted by GOCAL and Visit California show that
travel and tourism spending in San
Bernardino County exceeds $5.5
billion, including $1.4
billion in spending at restaurants. Total wages paid within
the hospitality sector across the Inland Empire exceed $5 billion per year. Today, hospitality ranks
among the Inland Empire's Top 5 employment sectors, and should
reach 200,000 within 3-5 years, experts say.
Meanwhile, a recent study by Oxford Economics showed that annual
spending by visitors traveling through ONT totals $2.7 billion per year, part of the airport's
$3.8 billion in annual economic
impact.
"We're proud of the role Ontario International Airport plays in the
Inland Empire's emergence as a premier international destination.
As much as ONT connects our region to the world, we also connect
the world to our region with direct flights from more than two
dozen destinations – and growing," said Atif Elkadi, ONT chief executive officer.
Last week, ONT announced that it expects 2.2 million passengers
to use the airport this summer, up nearly 300,000 passengers – or
15% – from a year ago. Ontario has
been one of the airport industry's biggest success stories over the
past seven years, with passenger volumes up more than 60%. This
year, ONT is adding flights to and from El Paso, Nashville, Houston and Seattle. The airport also is seeing a record
number of international travelers, which should only increase with
planned expansion of customs services later this year. In its
recently published Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan,
the Southern California Association of Governments projects
passenger volumes of 36 million at ONT by mid-century – nearly six
times current levels.
"We are excited about the future, but also determined to grow
the right way. Our region is in demand for a variety of reasons,
including a quality of life that is unlike anything else in
Southern California," Elkadi
said.
For GOCAL, the success of ONT further elevates the region's
attractiveness as a premier destination.
"We've got it all. Great recreational assets. Wonderful hotels
and restaurants. A fast-growing international airport. And that's
not even counting our entertainment venues such as Toyota Arena,
our world-class Ontario Convention
Center and a cultural landscape that is attracting residents,
businesses and visitors from everywhere," Krouse said.
And the future is even brighter. With Los Angeles' hosting of the 2026 World Cup and
2028 Olympics, the arrival of Brightline West's Las Vegas-to-Rancho
Cucamonga high-speed rail service within four years and a
projected 25% increase in the Inland Empire's population between
now and 2050, the local hospitality industry is poised for more
dynamic growth in the coming years.
"There is no question that the leisure and hospitality industry
has become a major economic driver for our region," said
Krouse.
Added Elkadi, "It's hard to imagine another region with as much
to offer as ours. For Ontario
International Airport, we see nothing but new opportunities ahead
as we meet the needs of this fast-growing region."
ONTARIO INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT
Ontario International Airport
(ONT) is California's most popular
airport, according to J.D. Power's most recent North America
Airport Satisfaction Study. Located in the Inland Empire, ONT is
approximately 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the center of Southern California. It is a full-service
airport which offers nonstop commercial jet service to two dozen
major airports in the U.S., Mexico, Central
America and Taiwan. More
information is available at www.flyOntario.com. Follow
@flyONT on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter),
and Instagram
GREATER ONTARIO CALIFORNIA
Greater Ontario California (GOCAL) is the official destination
marketing organization to promote the cities of Ontario and Rancho
Cucamonga, California to visitors nationally and
internationally. As destination experts we provide leisure, meeting
groups and meeting professionals with an unbiased, comprehensive
resource when booking a tour, convention, meeting, or event within
the cities of Ontario and
Rancho Cucamonga, California.
Ideal for leisure and business travel, the region boasts scenic
mountains, deserts, vineyards, and metropolitan areas that are both
historic and cosmopolitan in character. Under the umbrella of the
Greater Ontario California is the California Welcome Center and
several Signature Events to support the overall mission to drive
visitors to the region, stimulating economic growth. GOCAL provides
the necessary destination support tools to execute a successful
experience. Visit www.GO-CAL.org. Follow @VisitGOCAL
on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter),
and Instagram.
Media Contact:
Steve
Lambert (909) 841-7527 stevelambert20210@gmail.com
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SOURCE Ontario International
Airport