Travel & Tourism
Visitors attracted to Greater Ontario with new guide
Destination Marketing Organization produces Official Visitors Guide
Wednesday, August 21, 2019 (Ontario, California) The Greater Ontario Convention & Visitors Bureau (GOCVB) has announced the arrival of its newly redesigned Official Visitors Guide. “Since its inception in 2013, the GOCVB’s mission is to develop and expand the Greater Ontario Brand, elevate the impression of the destination as a perfect location to take advantage of all Southern California has to offer and deliver positive economic impact” said Michael Krouse, President & CEO of Greater Ontario Convention & Visitors Bureau.
As the official destination marketing organization, the GOCVB has recently ended the fiscal year of 2018-2019 with an overall economic impact of $51,953,760. Representing the cities of Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga, the GOCVB is solely funded through the Greater Ontario Tourism Marketing District. A leisure traveler or meeting planner can choose economy to full-service from over 6,000 hotel rooms in Greater Ontario, enjoy several entertainment venues, a shopper’s paradise and a diverse, multi-cultural restaurant scene.
Through the tourism marketing district funding, the GOCVB has been able to:
· Design a new Official Visitor Guide
· Build a new, tourism friendly website – Gocvb.org
· Produce a new destination marketing video
· Build and Operate the 2nd most visited California Welcome Center in the State of California
· Domestic and international outreach via co-op advertising opportunities
· Represent Greater Ontario at tradeshows, conferences, conventions, sales missions and industry events
· Host international and domestic FAM trips
· Partner with Ontario International Airport in supporting airline route development
The Bureau takes pride in their efforts that has elevated Greater Ontario to a recognizable destination, a leader in the industry and as a very strong alternative market to Los Angeles and Orange County that is no longer being confused with “Ontario, Canada”. The first five-year strategic plan has been successful in completing the goals of delivering economic impact, curating a portfolio of experiences, repositioning and enhancing the brand, plus building capabilities in a performance culture.
Recently the “I AM” Greater Ontario educational program was rolled out with approval by the steering committee of destination experts. Starting in September of 2019, this interactive classroom experience and bus tour will be provided at no cost to front of house staff, guest services, sales and others in the hospitality industry to ensure a consistent message to welcome visitors, knowledgeable about “must visit” sites and elevate the overall guest experience.
As they say in real estate, “location, location, location” centrally situated where two interstates meet, in less than one hour in any direction, Greater Ontario provides visitors easy access to the deserts, mountain resorts, alpine lakes, Southern California wine country and beaches, Disneyland Park, Universal Studios and Hollywood. Visitors can make Greater Ontario their home base and take advantage of hotels offering great amenities, affordable rates and free parking.
Ontario International Airport (ONT), the fastest growing airport in the U.S. according to Global Traveler has added numerous non-stop flights including New York, Orlando, Atlanta, Houston, San Francisco and Taipei making it easier to fly in and out of Ontario.
The new Official Visitor Guide is available to download or via mail from the website at GOcvb.org, In addition the guide and information about the statewide and local tourism destinations is available at the California Welcome Center in Fashion Alley at Ontario Mills.
ABOUT GREATER ONTARIO CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
The Greater Ontario Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization to promote the cities of Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga, California to visitors nationally and internationally. As destination experts we provide leisure, meeting groups and meeting professionals with an unbiased, comprehensive resource when booking a tour, convention, meeting or event within the cities of Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga, California. Ideal for leisure and business travel, the region boasts scenic mountains, deserts, vineyards and metropolitan areas that are both historic and cosmopolitan in character. Under the umbrella of the Greater Ontario Convention & Visitors Bureau is the California Welcome Center and several Signature Events to support the overall mission to drive visitors to the region. The Greater Ontario Convention & Visitors Bureau provides the necessary destination support tools to execute a successful experience. Visit www.GOcvb.org.
Travel & Tourism
FAA Awards Ontario International Airport another $10.77 million for taxiway, airfield improvements
Ontario International Airport has received an additional $10.77 million in infrastructure funding from the FAA.
Ontario International Airport will receive another $10.77 million from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to invest in infrastructure improvements at the aviation gateway of choice for millions of Southern Californians.
The FAA announced this week that it is awarding a total of $518 million to airports across the country, under its 2022 Airport Improvement Program. ONT will receive the largest amount within California – for taxiway improvements and expanding the lighting vault that serves the airport’s runways.
The announcement comes less than a year after ONT was awarded $12.68 million through the FAA and the American Rescue Plan Act for taxiway and runway improvements.
“I’m grateful to our staff for preparing a successful funding application and to the FAA for continuing to bring infrastructure and airfield improvement dollars to the fastest-growing passenger airport in the U.S.,” said Alan D. Wapner, President of the Ontario International Airport Authority Board of Commissioners and Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Ontario.
ONT has been one of the aviation industry’s great success stories, eclipsing pre-pandemic passenger volumes and ranking among the Top 10 cargo airports in North America. The airport also plays a critical role in the Inland Empire’s emergence as one of the fastest-growing population centers in the United States and a global supply chain hub.
“In communities of all sizes, airports are vital to local economies, sustaining jobs and getting people and goods where they need to go,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, in announcing this week’s funding awards. “We’re pleased to announce this important funding to help improve airports around the country and better serve all Americans.”
Travel & Tourism
Ontario International Airport passenger volume exceeds pre-pandemic levels for second straight month in April
Traveler count grew 7% over 2019 level with domestic volume up 10%
The number of passengers who traveled through Southern California’s Ontario International Airport (ONT) in April was nearly 7% above the April 2019 total, beating pre-pandemic levels for the second straight month, officials announced today.
Total ONT passenger volume was almost 476,000 last month, 6.92% more than April three years ago. The number of domestic travelers increased by 9.65% to more than 461,000.
Passenger traffic increased by 4% in March compared with the same month in 2019.
“Demand for air travel through Ontario International remained strong in April as passengers took to the airways for spring break vacations and to visit friends and family for religious holidays. Ontario International was rapidly growing before the COVID-19 pandemic, so it is not a surprise that we’re among the quickest to recover,” said Alan D. Wapner, president of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) Board of Commissioners.
From January through April, total passenger volume was more than 1.62 million, within a percentage point of the total from the first four months of 2019. The number of domestic passengers was 1.57 million, an increase of 1.6%.
|
Passenger Totals |
April 2022 |
April 2019 |
Change |
YTD 2022 |
YTD 2019 |
Change |
|
Domestic |
461,300 |
420,699 |
9.65% |
1,571,080 |
1,545,621 |
1.6% |
|
International |
14,441 |
24,249 |
-40.45% |
56,300 |
95,660 |
-41.1% |
|
Total |
475,741 |
444,948 |
6.92% |
1,627,380 |
1,641,281 |
-0.8% |
|
Passenger Totals |
April 2022 |
April 2021 |
Change |
YTD 2022 |
YTD 2021 |
Change |
|
Domestic |
461,300 |
295,186 |
56.27% |
1,571,080 |
847,680 |
85.3% |
|
International |
14,441 |
3,598 |
301.36% |
56,300 |
14,748 |
281.7% |
|
Total |
475,741 |
298,784 |
59.23% |
1,627,380 |
862,428 |
88.7% |
Air cargo shipments also remained strong in April at 67,000 tons, 8.6% greater than April in 2019. On a year-to-date basis, shipments of freight and mail combined were 15.5% higher than the January through April period in 2019, at nearly 270,000 tons.
|
Air cargo (tonnage) |
April 2022 |
April 2019 |
Change |
YTD 2022 |
YTD 2019 |
Change |
|
Freight |
62,291 |
59,359 |
4.94% |
250,623 |
224,346 |
11.7% |
|
|
4,860 |
2,454 |
98.05% |
19,068 |
9,192 |
107.4% |
|
Total |
67,152 |
61,813 |
8.64% |
269,692 |
233,539 |
15.5% |
|
Air cargo (tonnage) |
April 2022 |
April 2021 |
Change |
YTD 2022 |
YTD 2021 |
Change |
|
Freight |
62,291 |
70,422 |
-11.55% |
250,623 |
278,143 |
-9.9% |
|
|
4,860 |
4,085 |
18.98% |
19,068 |
14,383 |
32.6% |
|
Total |
67,152 |
74,508 |
-9.87 |
269,692 |
292,526 |
-7.8% |
“Ontario International remains a point of pride as an increasingly popular passenger gateway in Southern California and attractive hub for e-commerce,” said Atif Elkadi, chief executive officer of the OIAA. “With our growing customer base in the Inland Empire, support of our community neighbors and strong political will of our city and county leaders, I am confident Ontario International will continue to attract new and increased flights from passenger and cargo air carriers.”
Travel & Tourism
Ontario International Airport achieves milestone in March as passenger volume exceeded pre-pandemic level
March passenger total 4% higher than March 2019; cargo shipments up 22%
Ontario International Airport (ONT) officials had eagerly awaited a month in which passenger volume would be higher than the same month before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and now the wait is over as the Southern California airport welcomed 454,000 air travelers last month, 4% more than in March 2019.
“Ontario is setting the pace of recovery among airports in California and, as a result, it is an attractive metropolitan gateway for airlines restarting suspended services and establishing new routes as public health restrictions ease and demand for air travel increases,” said Alan D. Wapner, president of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) Board of Commissioners.
Domestic passengers totaled 439,531 last month, while the number of international travelers was almost 15,000, increases of 71% and 446%, respectively, compared with March of last year. The total number of ONT passengers was 75% higher in March.
Most importantly, domestic and international passenger volume combined was 3.97% higher in March compared with March 2019. Domestic travel increased more than 6.5% to 439,531 while international volume was 40% lower at 14,492.
“The March passenger numbers are a tremendous achievement for our airport and airline partners, launching Ontario International’s pandemic recovery to an even higher level. We can’t say for sure what the coming months will bring, but the March passenger count shows what full recovery looks like,” said OIAA Chief Executive Officer Atif Elkadi,
The emergence of ONT as an increasingly popular aviation gateway comes as the Inland Empire experiences a steady influx of new residents, particularly from the coastal areas of Los Angeles and Orange counties, drawn by employment opportunities, available housing and high quality of life. According to U.S. Census data, San Bernardino and Riverside counties have experienced the fifth-largest population gain among the top 50 metro areas in the U.S.
| Passenger
Totals |
March 2022 |
March 2021 |
Change |
YTD 2022 |
YTD 2021 |
Change |
| Domestic |
439,531 |
256,837 |
71.13% |
1,109,780 |
552,494 |
100.9% |
| International |
14,492 |
2,654 |
446.04% |
41,859 |
11,150 |
275.4% |
| Total |
454,023 |
259,491 |
74.97% |
1,151,639 |
563,644 |
104.3% |
From January through March, the number of passengers who traveled through ONT doubled compared to the same period last year. The first quarter figures were 3.7% lower than 2019.
| Passenger
Totals |
March 2022 |
March 2019 |
Change |
YTD 2022 |
YTD 2019 |
Change |
| Domestic |
439,531 |
412,440 |
6.57% |
1,109,780 |
1,124,922 |
-1.3.% |
| International |
14,492 |
24,261 |
-40.27% |
41,859 |
71,411 |
-41.4% |
| Total |
454,023 |
436,701 |
3.97% |
1,151,639 |
1,196,333 |
-3.7% |
Shipments of air cargo likewise remained strong in March compared with March 2019, increasing by 22%. On a year-to-date basis, shipments of freight and mail combined were 18% higher than the first quarter of 2019 as the Inland Empire continued to be a hub for commercial freight movement.
Compared to 2021, March and year-to-date cargo shipments decreased 6.5% and 7%, respectively.
| Air cargo
(tonnage) |
March 2022 |
March 2021 |
Change |
YTD 2022 |
YTD 2021 |
Change |
| Freight |
67,795 |
74,367 |
-8.84% |
188,332 |
207,720 |
-9.3% |
|
5,303 |
3,828 |
38.54% |
14,208 |
10,298 |
38.0% |
|
| Total |
73,098 |
78,195 |
-6.52% |
202,540 |
218,019 |
-7.1% |
| Air cargo
(tonnage) |
March 2022 |
March 2019 |
Change |
YTD 2022 |
YTD 2019 |
Change |
| Freight |
67,795 |
57,582 |
17.74% |
188,332 |
164,988 |
14.1% |
|
5,303 |
2,325 |
128.06% |
14,208 |
6,738 |
110.9% |
|
| Total |
73,098 |
59,907 |
22.02% |
202,540 |
171,725 |
17.9% |
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