SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — It’s the biggest week of the year for San Diego, and even before the costumes hit the street, DC activations are being set up, police are building security plans, and restaurants across the city are bracing for the estimated 135,000 visitors.
“It’s going to be great for business; people are asking for hours, and we can definitely provide them today,” said Shey Mitchell, the Manager of Villain’s Brew Co.
Once a year is about all San Diego can handle, with $160 million expected to pour into hotels, shops, theme parks, museums, and everything in between.
And according to workers who are used to rowdy crowds, the Comic-Con folks are welcomed with open arms.
“Always a good crowd in their costumes and always enjoying everything,” said a bouncer from Bub’s Downtown.
And while movie stars, artists, filmmakers, and most importantly, fans from around the world descend on our city, it’s easy to overlook how important an event like this is to San Diego’s economic health.
“14,000 hotel rooms are going to be booked because of this event. 64,000 nights in downtown Mission Valley, up and down the coast in San Diego, all because of Comic-Con, and here is the last thing: this is really millions and millions of dollars in advertising for our region,” said Raoul Campillo, a San Diego City Council Member.
The City of San Diego is hoping to bring in $3.2 million in hotel tax revenue in just this week alone.
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