The locals in some cities bristle at the tourists who take over their favorite stores, restaurants and attractions. Not in San Francisco. According to a new study commissioned by the San Francisco Travel Association, San Franciscans are almost unanimous in understanding the economic importance of tourism, with 98 percent indicating that it's "important" or "very important" to the local economy and 70 percent strongly agreeing that it's "the city's most important industry."
Another 78 percent agreed that "tourism makes San Francisco a better place to live" and 80 percent that there is a "healthy balance of tourism and resident activity" in the city.
"Based on these independent findings, it is deeply gratifying to see that the vast majority of San Francisco residents appreciate the important role tourism plays in the economic vitality of our city," said San Francisco Travel Association President and CEO Joe D'Alessandro.
Tourism isn't just important to the local economy, however. According to San Franciscans, it's also important to the local government, as 94 percent of respondents agreed that tourism has a "strongly positive" or "positive" impact on the San Francisco city budget. Another 91 percent "strongly agreed" or "agreed" that tourism plays a strong role in paying for city services like police, schools, road repairs and firefighters. Finally, 76 percent said they'd be more likely to vote for a mayor whose policies support tourism, and 81 percent that "it is important for their district supervisor to support tourism"
"As a member of the travel and tourism sector, it is extremely rewarding to learn that our fellow San Franciscans value the benefits tourism provides in terms of city services," said San Francisco Travel Association Board President David Nadelman. "It was also exciting to discover that residents appreciate the benefits residents enjoy in their everyday lives as a result of tourism."