TURLOCK NOW: City sees $1 million bump in tourism

TURLOCK -- Tourism brought an additional $1 million to Turlock last year, signaling the area’s continued economic recovery.

The Turlock Convention and Visitors Bureau reported a 16 percent increase in its lodging revenue from September 2011 to September 2012, as more people are coming to the city for work and play alike.

Bureau Director Desa Cammack said Turlock hoteliers saw an increase in occupancy last year even in off months, thanks to large projects from Gallo and Blue Diamond. The growth is outpacing the area’s overall tourism increase as well, with Turlock’s occupancy rate at 70.7 percent and Stanislaus County at 60.5 percent last year. The city’s Transient Occupancy Tax revenue has grown every year since 2005.

“Our tourism is showing our economy is starting to recover. We’ve had a positive effect so far every year in growth,” Cammack said.

Cammack also touted the success of its newly launched smartphone app and just completed meeting facilities DVD. The latter will help market the city with business travelers and event coordinators.