The team from Visit Yosemite/Madera County celebrates the latest tourism figures. Photo contributed

Madera County continued to thrive from visitor spending in 2018, according to the latest economic impact report from Visit California.

In the report, it was found that visitor spending reached $338.8 million and supported 4,230 in Madera, a 4.4% boost from last year. This growth highlights the ongoing importance of tourism to the region and California’s economy.

“In the eastern part of Madera County, California’s Gateway to Yosemite, Tourism is the number one economic driver and the summer season is crucial for many businesses to survive,” said Rhonda Salisbury, CEO of Visit Yosemite/Madera County. “Last year’s Ferguson Fire hit the area during our busiest month of the year, so this year we are counting on a fire-free season to continue to help our local business recuperate.”

Visitor spending also generated $29.4 million in local tax revenue in Madera County last year. Statewide, visitor spending increased to $140.6 billion, and the tourism industry provided nearly 1.2 million jobs in 2018.

“With nine consecutive years of record visitation spending, tourism is a foundational part of this state’s economy benefitting all Californians,” said Caroline Beteta, Visit California CEO and president. “In cities and counties across the state, tourism employs thousands of Californians and pumps millions of tax dollars into local government coffers to pay police officers and firefighters, fix roads and operate other important community programs.”