8 reasons why tourism matters in Orange County

A tourism report ties $3 billion in spending by out-of-town visitors at both local eateries and retail stores. And tourism supports one-third of all local food jobs and 8 percent of retail employment. Seen here, window shoppers pass by the Gucci store at South Coast Plaza. (File photo by Mike Goulding, Orange County Register/SCNG)Despite all the local hotel construction you’ve witnessed, a new report says demand for local hotels has far outstripped new room supply. That’s a good reas