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Tourism bureau reports higher TOT, allocates $100,000 to undersea fiber project
Summary
Jim Lutrohan, CEO of Love Catalina Island, reported audited figures showing $1.73M in TOT revenue allocated to the bureau and total tourism-promotion expenditures of about $1.0M; the bureau also voted to allocate $100,000 toward the island undersea fiber connectivity project and highlighted increased cruise-ship activity and media coverage.
Jim Lutrohan, president and CEO of Love Catalina Island, presented the organization's annual report and audited figures to council and emphasized partnerships and marketing efforts that drove TOT revenue.
"Our audit adjusted figures are that income from TOT allocated to us totaled $1,729,000," Lutrohan said, citing the year-end true-up. He told council that the bureau's total tourism-promotion expenditures for the fiscal year exceeded $1,000,973 and that earned revenue and carryover funds helped cover the difference.
Lutrohan described visitation and occupancy trends, noting an increase in cruise-ship passengers and more day-tripper traffic relative to overnight stays; short-term rental occupancy averaged about 46.97% by AirDNA data. He also highlighted media placements in bridal and leisure outlets, the Los Angeles Times and international coverage.
As part of connectivity efforts, Lutrohan said the bureau has allocated $100,000 toward the undersea fiber project and that recent grant awards for broadband funding have bolstered momentum. Council members expressed appreciation for the bureau's outreach and the group's role in the Island Connectivity Group.
Lutrohan closed by announcing event dates for 2026 (Taste of Avalon on May 26; a bridal event in June) and distribution plans for the 2026 visitor guide.
