Tourism spending is important to Santa Monica's economy. Before Santa Monica started closing them down, visitors to Santa Monica's Vacation Rentals spent approximately $2 million annually in the city.

Vacation Rentals have been operating in Santa Monica for years with virtually no problems. Last June, the city started to close Vacation Rentals. The owners of these Vacation Rentals are, for the most part, Santa Monica residents who are proud to share their city with tourists by renting out their homes.

If Santa Monica changes its municipal code to allow Vacation Rentals, the tourism will continue and Vacation Rental owners will be able to pay hotel taxes (which would likely generate at least $1.8 million in new taxes). If the city doesn't make this change and continues to close down Vacation Rentals, tourists will move to Venice, Malibu and other beach communities whose municipal codes allow Vacation Rentals.

This is not the time to be closing businesses and sending tourists to other cities. Now is the time to find ways to generate more income so that Santa Monica can continue to prosper. Legalizing Vacation Rentals in Santa Monica would generate new revenue and would help keep Santa Monica a tourist destination for travellers from all over the world.