Summer and the Fall are particularly attractive lures for visitors who come to the county to dine, shop and be entertained; cultural tourism accounts for about 6 percent of visitors. The average stay is 2.7 nights, couples make up 52 percent of visitors, and 41 percent stay in local hotels. They can afford to: 43 percent of tourists have an average household income of $50,000 to $74,999 and 19 percent rank higher.“They’re married, are visiting friends and relatives, come with money to burn,” Reed said. “Post 9-11 is showing that folks want their destinations to be drivable,” due to apprehension of air travel.“The days of packing and unpacking are over as the a typical family trip now is staying at one hotel or resort for four to five days,” with “day trips” highlighting visits. “All tourism bureaus in the country recognize the importance,” of such visitors especially to areas where “each community complements the other. . .”Reed said the Heritage Valley communities of Piru, Fillmore and Santa Paula fit the bill perfectly. “A lot of exciting things are happening in Piru,” with a train depot and revitalization nearing completion and opening access to the Fillmore & Western Railway.Private owners are opening an equestrian center and dude ranch with 75 beds, the Round Rock Hotel is being redone as the Heritage Valley Inn, Rancho Camulos is gaining more and more publicity and visitors, Reed noted.The Heritage Valley offers “typical family activities and entertainment,” and the City of Fillmore has secured a grant to purchase a trolley, which will have the HVTB as overseer for its use throughout the river valley.With such a trolley, tourists will be able to visit other areas of the city, said Reed; Fillmore & Western is also planning special excursions focusing on antiques and collectibles and will be providing maps to stores in Santa Paula and Fillmore.
Good Morning Santa Paula: More and more tourists discovering Santa Paula, Fillmore & Piru
May 24, 2002
Santa Paula News
More and more tourists are discovering the Santa Clara River Valley, and the Heritage Valley Tourism Bureau (HVTB) is ready for them, attendees at the May Good Morning Santa Paula! learned.
The Chamber of Commerce sponsored event was hosted by Leon Garland of Santa Paula Family Motors/Fillmore Family Motors and held at Logsdon’s at the Airport.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesMore and more tourists are discovering the Santa Clara River Valley, and the Heritage Valley Tourism Bureau (HVTB) is ready for them, attendees at the May Good Morning Santa Paula! learned.The Chamber of Commerce sponsored event was hosted by Leon Garland of Santa Paula Family Motors/Fillmore Family Motors and held at Logsdon’s at the Airport.Leslie Reed of the Heritage Valley Tourism Bureau congratulated Santa Paula on its successful Centennial Celebration and noted that Jim Garfield, chairman of the Centennial Committee, is the president of the HVTB board of directors.The importance of tourism is being recognized on the national level not only for its impacts on local economies but for its educational and cultural opportunities, said Reed.“Tourism is a huge employer,” nationally and the fourth largest source of employment in Ventura County, Reed noted.Studies have shown that Ventura County visitors are primarily from Los Angeles and Palm Springs, and 81 percent travel to the area by car and van.