January 2021

January 2021, reflected the ongoing impacts of COVID-19.  Holiday travel was greatly reduced due to travel restrictions and lack of available activities and attractions resulting from temporary closures.  Under state and local mandates, Leisure travel was prohibited until late in January.

All Arrivals

January visitation decreased year-over-year in four sectors (cross channel, cruise, private aircraft and helicopter), resulting in an overall decrease by 42,170 visitors over the same month last year.  It is important to note that January 2020 was a strong month vs. historical January counts.

January’s total in-bound passengers = 10,521, down 80% from last year @ 52,691.  January 2021 was below the three-year average of 37,197 by 71.7%. January was below the five-year average of 42,533 by 75.3% and the ten-year average of 41,841 by 74.9%.

Arrivals by Sea

Passengers arriving by sea, including private boaters, was 9,050 for the month of January, was down 82.1% from 50,700 last year.

• January Cross Channel passenger counts were down 72.5% year-over-year @ 7,458 vs. 27,087 last year
• 2018 had the highest volume for the month @ 27,774 passengers
• 2021 has the lowest volume for the month @ 7,458 passengers.  Previous low was 2008 @ 15,650
• January Cross Channel passenger counts were below the three-year average of 20,288 by 63.2%
• Cross Channel Carriers made up 70.9% of total monthly arrivals

• Cruise passenger counts were down 100% year-over-year @ 0 vs. 22,195 in 2020
• 2010 had the highest cruise passenger volume for the month @ 24,444
• 2021 had the lowest cruise passenger volume for the month @ 0.  Previous low was 1995 @ 1.038
• January cruise passenger counts were below the three-year average of 14,082 by 100%
• Cruise passengers made up 0% of total monthly arrivals
• The number of Cruise Ships calling on Avalon was down @ 0 vs. 8 in 2020
• 2017 had the highest number of cruise ships in port @ 11
• 2021 had the lowest number of cruise ships in port @ 0.  Previous low was 2016 @ 6

• Private Boater passenger counts were up year-over-year by 5.6% @ 1,592
• 2014 had the highest passenger volume for the month @ 1976
• 2017 had the lowest passenger volume month @ 796
• January private boater passenger counts were above the three-year average of 1,420 by 12.1%
• January number of boats on anchor was down by 57.8% @ 35 vs. 85 last year
• 2019 had the highest number of vessels at anchor @ 110
• 2012 had the lowest number of vessels at anchor @ 13
• January number of boats on moorings was up 5.6% @ 398
• 2014 had the highest number of vessels on moorings @ 494
• 2016 had the lowest number of vessels on moorings @ 184
• Private Boaters Made up 15.13% of total monthly arrivals

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 Arrivals by Air

Combined in-bound air passenger counts for January totaled 1,219, down by 49.8% from 2019.

• People aboard planes (Airport in the Sky) was down 30.9% @ 984
• 2014 had the highest volume of private aircraft passenger counts for the month @ 1,785
• 2019 had the lowest volume of private aircraft passenger counts for the month @ 0, (construction) while 2008 had the lowest volume when open @ 825
• January counts for people aboard planes was above the three-year average of 803 by 22.5%
• January people aboard planes made up 9.33 of total monthly arrivals

• People aboard Charter Helicopters was down year-over-year by 14% @ 487 vs. 566
• 2018 had the highest volume for the month @ 935
• 2021 had the lowest volume for the month @ 487.  Previous low for month was 539 in 2012
• January counts were below the three-year average of 604 by 19.4%
• January people aboard Helicopters made up 4.63% of total monthly arrivals

To view historical data for total arrivals by sector, year and month in a spreadsheet form click here.  

Visitor Services

January Visitor Services decreased year-over-year in all measures.

2020 Catalina Island Visitor Center

• Number of calls for the month was down year-over-year by 52.8.% @ 214 vs. 453
• 2012 had the highest volume for the month @ 1,131 calls
• 2021 had the lowest volume for the month @ 214 calls.  Previous low for month was 440 in 2017
• January counts were below the three-year average of 396 by 45.9%
• Number of Walk Ins for the month was down year-over-year by 99.7% @ 2 vs. 766.  The Visitor Center was closed to Walk Ins most of the month due to Leisure Traveler prohibitions in place
• 2017 had the highest volume for the month @ 1,703 guests
• 2021 had the lowest volume for the month @ 2 guests.  Previous low for month was 770 in 2020
• January counts were below the three-year average of 574 by 99.7%

LoveCatalina.com

January LoveCatalina.com Website users were 40,274 vs. 89,287 in 2020

January Printed Visitor Guide orders @ LoveCatalina.com @ 218

January Online Guide downloads @ 51

Monthly E-blast consumer sign-ups @ 47

Monthly Book Direct lodging searches 6,363

Monthly Book Direct referrals 4,100

Monthly Book Direct Package referrals 456

Weather

Data for January highs, lows and precipitation going back to 2012 is displayed below. Multi-year rain days data is also displayed by year and month.  Measures are taken at Avalon Harbor.