Tourists may not vote in Torrance, but they are contributing millions of dollars to City finances.

The City’s latest Economic Development Update estimates that Torrance hotels generated approximately $9.3 million in Transient Occupancy Tax revenue during January through June 2026, an increase of 7% from the prior year.

Transient Occupancy Tax—often called a hotel or bed tax—is collected from guests staying in local hotels and becomes City revenue.

What is interesting is that the increase did not come from a major jump in hotel occupancy.

Average Torrance hotel occupancy during the first six months of 2026 was 79.2%, compared with 80.6% during the same period in 2025. Instead, visitors were paying more for rooms. The average daily rate rose to $174.04, up from $164.14 a year earlier. Revenue per available room also climbed from $132.27 to $137.84.

June was especially strong, with an average room rate of $195.76 and occupancy of 83.8%.

The report also offers another glimpse at Torrance tourism. The California Welcome Center at Del Amo Fashion Center recorded 34,548 visitors during the first six months of the year, averaging about 5,758 visitors a month.

City staff said July is typically one of Torrance hotels’ strongest months and is watching to see whether this summer’s World Cup activity produced an additional boost.

It is easy to think of Torrance hotels primarily as places for business travelers or visiting relatives.

From City Hall’s perspective, however, every occupied room is also part of the local revenue picture—and during the first half of this year, that added up to an estimated $9.3 million.

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