2022-23 Annual Report
On the following pages please find the Annual Report for Love Catalina Island’s fiscal year 2022/23. Please take the time to read and appreciate the successes and challenges called out in what has been an unprecedented year in many ways.
We started the year off with continued high demand for travel as part of the post-COVID-19 surge that began in 2021. We saw record setting Transient Occupancy Tax collection from July through October despite some of those months having lower than typical occupancy. Winter arrived with the double-edged sword of heavy rains that filled our reservoir and forestalled drought mitigations, but that also put a damper on visitation. We saw a historic number of ferry cancellations and helicopter flights grounded coupled with ferries out of service for upgrades to meet new State mandates. Our business community has struggled for staffing, and continues to do so. Spring brought a plethora of gray days, further inhibiting visitation well into May. Cruise passenger counts grew, setting new highs in August and December 2022 and February 2023, all months in which visitors are very much needed! As we headed into summer, visitor sentiments included reduced travel plans with sticker shock being cited as the main reason.
We enjoyed setting two significant precedents in having our first ever joint meeting between the Avalon City Council and our Board of Directors and had our City Manager join in attendance of Seatrade Global, the largest Cruise Industry event in the world. We rounded out the year with incredible media relations including attendance of NATJA’s annual conference; participation in CalTravel’s legislative day; Board training with Charney & Associates; launch of Kind Traveler for Catalina lodging and nonprofits; a new website and, for the first time in many years, a fully staffed operation.
None of this could have been taken on without the strong team of staff, contractors, board members and civic leaders that we enjoy. The Catalina Island business community, as always, was both served and served us very well.
Thank you for the privilege of being this year’s Board Chair,
Bryce Noll
OUR MISSION
To attract visitors and advocate for commerce on Catalina Island.
OUR VISION
Avalon and Catalina Island make up a community where tourism promotion and economic vitality are supported by residents, local businesses, and civic leaders to:
• Ensure economic growth
• Encourage conservation
• Be stewards of character
• Prepare for crisis or change
• Establish/maintain finances
• Be flexible and adaptive
