The Thomas Fire put a huge dent in Santa Barbara’s hotel tax revenue in December, but just released January figures show a major spike in revenues related to the disaster.
Santa Barbara’s Transient Occupancy Taxes for January were up 22% over January of 2017.
City officials say motel, and hotel stays by evacuated local residents and emergency workers related to the January 9th flooding boosted room occupancy during what’s normally one of the quietest months of the year.
