Study Examines Cruise Ship Economic Impact

The 21 cruise ships that carried 50,000 passengers into Santa Barbara in 2013 had a $2.4 million economic impact ​— ​$280,000 went directly to the city in the form of taxes and fees ​— ​based on a survey recently completed by Visit Santa Barbara. The study found that restaurants and shops benefited the most, collecting 30.5 percent and 29.2 percent of the $2.4 million, respectively. Many passengers arrived during “non-peak travel seasons,” and of those surveyed, 41 percent are expected to return to Santa Barbara in the next two years.