Visit Carlsbad President and CEO Kim Sidoriac told the City Council that hotel performance in Carlsbad fell in September compared with September 2024 but that on-the-books group bookings point to improvement later in 2025.

Sidoriac said, “We're down, as compared to September 2024, down 11.6% in occupancy, down 4% in average daily rate and down 15% in revenue per available room.” She attributed September’s decline to cancellations of a few groups — one from Canada and another that receives federal grant funding — and to a softening leisure segment.

The organization reported that year-to-date hotel metrics remained close to 2024 levels: occupancy down 0.8%, average daily rate up 1.4% and revenue per available room up 0.5%. Using a new data tool to view contracted business, Visit Carlsbad projects October–December 2025 year-over-year gains of about 3% occupancy, 6% average daily rate and 10% revenue per available room.

Sidoriac also presented results from the destination’s advertising evaluation by market researcher H2R, saying the city’s fiscal-year-2025 campaigns generated about $213,000,000 in incremental visitor spending, more than 214,000 incremental trips and 352,000 incremental overnight stays.

On accessibility, Sidoriac said Visit Carlsbad is pursuing certified-autism destination status from IVCCES and that six local businesses have earned certified-autism center status: Handled Pottery, Teresa Lane Jewelry, Museum of Making Music, Carlsbad Food Tours, Agua Hedionda and the Best Western Plus Beachview Lodge. She said the city needs additional participating businesses — including three more hotels, two attractions, two recreation venues and three restaurants or entertainment venues — to qualify the entire destination.

The presentation closed with council congratulations to Sidoriac for receiving the industry innovator award at the San Diego Women in Tourism and Hospitality event.

Looking ahead, Visit Carlsbad asked the council to note the near-term booking strength reflected in its October–December on-the-books data but did not request formal council action.