Pasadena Undergoes Multi-Million Dollar Hospitality Makeover

Pasadena’s growing reputation as a hospitality leader will be enhanced in 2018 by multi-million dollar renovations, more guest rooms, larger meeting spaces and new hotels.

Already internationally known for the annual Tournament of Roses Parade and Rose Bowl game and for the importance of its scientific institutions such as Caltech and JPL, Pasadena is rapidly transforming into a year-round destination of choice for travelers on holiday or business and meetings.

“This is an exciting time for our community,” said Michael Ross, chief executive officer of the Pasadena Center Operating Company. “With more rooms, new meeting spaces and renovated hotels, Pasadena can accommodate a variety of conferences, conventions, and entertainment options.”

Among the changes in store are a $20 million renovation of guest rooms, lobby and meeting spaces at Sheraton Pasadena, a $25 million renovation of guest rooms, lobby, bar and meeting spaces at Hilton Pasadena, a recently completed $11 million guest room beautification at Westin Pasadena, construction of a rooftop pool, meeting space, fitness center and 25 new rooms at DusitD2 Hotel Constance Pasadena, and a new 186-room upscale Hyatt Place hotel in Pasadena’s most popular retail and entertainment center, The Paseo. The downtown six-story hotel, is scheduled for completion by the end of 2018.

“The visitor economy in Pasadena is expanding,” Ross said. “And, it is generating new business as well as sales, jobs, income and tax revenues for the community.”

A 2017 study done by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics Company, found visitors to Pasadena spent $496.2 million in 2016, which generated $668.7 million in total business sales, including indirect and induced impacts. Tourism in Pasadena generated $120.4 million in tax revenues in 2016, including $66.6 million in state and local revenues.

The study also found:

• Including direct and indirect impacts, 5,943 jobs were sustained by visitors to Pasadena in 2016 with total income of $243.7 million.
• Approximately 4 percent (1 in 26) of all jobs in Pasadena were sustained by tourism.
• An estimated 33 percent of tourism- supported jobs are in the food and beverage sector, 24 percent in lodging, recreation, 12 percent in recreation, and 10 percent in retail.

In May, Pasadena was pleased to host the overall finish of the Amgen Tour of California, which was viewed by a global audience of 16.6 million in over 200 countries worldwide.

Additionally, the Pasadena Convention Center showcased its ability to support large-scale and high-profile events such as Politicon, Space Tech and the CA Speech-Language- Hearing Association Annual Convention. Other events during the year included the 48th Annual NAACP Image Awards, Minnesota Public Radio’s “A Prairie Home Companion”, 22 tapings of “America’s Got Talent” and the Daytime Emmy Awards.

During fiscal 2017, The Pasadena Center Operating Company invested nearly $2 million in major capital improvements as part of its commitment to visitors seeking to enjoy all that the community offers.

“I am extremely proud of our staff and our committed board of directors. They continue to maintain and operate a world-class facility and provide excellent service to retain and grow our business,” PCOC Chairman Gene Gregg, Jr. said.