2019 began with good economic news in California: 24,500 jobs were added as the year ended in December 2018.

The state added 24,500 net new positions for a total of approximately 17.28 million jobs, according to the California Employment Development Department.

California’s gains were widespread, with the expansion of nine out of eleven industries. Leisure and hospitality added the most jobs, reflecting the Golden State’s historic allure as a tourist destination, particularly during the cold winter months.

Tourism has been growing and has steadily increased over the past eight years. Los Angeles County alone hosted an estimated fifty million visitors in 2018. This impressive statistic reflects a 3.1% improvement over 2017’s total.