Tourism On The Upswing In Orange County

ANAHEIM, CA - It's official. A record number of tourists visited Anaheim last year, for the fifth record-setting year in a row, according to city officials.

Last year drew 24.2 million tourists to the city, which is home to Disneyland and California Adventure, according to Visit Anaheim, the city's tourism arm.

The city has seen a 31 percent jump in tourism since 2012. Visit Anaheim also reported a 6.2 percent increase, or $8.62 billion, in spending last year by tourists when compared to 2016.

"The numbers clearly prove the direct and positive impact tourism has on Anaheim and Orange County," said Jay Burress, Visit Anaheim's president and chief executive. "(2017) was a monumental year for our destination, opening a newly expanded space of the Anaheim Convention Center as well the start of several new development projects. Tourism means an increase in jobs, revenue for small businesses aPhoto: nd is a key spoke in our local economy's wheel."

Photo: Renee Schiavone, Patch staff