Pier 39 in San Francisco is bustling with activity as tourists from all over the world come to explore the lively Embarcadero corridor. One of the establishments thriving amidst this influx is Coqueta restaurant, a Spanish culinary treasure located along the waterfront.
“We have this amazing corridor — very wide. And we have people from all over the world, not only from the cruise ships but also from other areas,” said Yuri Chauca, the manager of Coqueta restaurant.
“We have the major hotels nearby, and people like to walk around.”
“In our industry, when we don’t have the foot traffic and reservations, it’s boring because we need this lively environment every single time — since the moment we open until the moment we close,” Chauca said.
“So yeah, we are really excited and very hopeful that it will ramp up.”
Chauca’s optimism is reflected in the latest statistics from the San Francisco Travel Association. The city welcomed a record-breaking 23.1 million visitors in 2023, marking an 82 percent increase in hotel night bookings compared to the previous year. This surge in tourism is largely attributed to major events held at the Moscone Center and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Summit.
Scott Beck, President and CEO of San Francisco Travel, highlighted the ongoing efforts to revitalize the city’s tourism sector.
“San Francisco’s tourism recovery efforts continue to make steady progress, attracting more conventions and events to the city is a key focus for SF Travel given their citywide impact on San Francisco’s economy,” Beck remarked.
San Francisco’s robust convention schedule has been instrumental in driving the increase in tourism, with events such as Dreamforce and the APEC Conference attracting delegates from across the world.
This uptick in convention activity has led to substantial gains for San Francisco’s lodging sector.
Visitors to San Francisco, including those attending conferences, have been enthusiastic in their appreciation for the city’s attractions.
“Honestly, my entire experience from start to finish has been pretty fantastic,” one visitor from Los Angeles said.
A visitor from Vancouver, Canada, shared their delight with the beautiful weather, excellent food, and drinks, confirming their intention to return.
Chauca observed a positive trend in the return of local patrons, especially as more offices reopen in the financial district.
“As the spring and summer approach, we have more cruises, and we have locals who want to come out on sunny days like today,” Chauca told a news agency.
“We’re seeing them right now, walking back and forth, jogging, and things like that.”
