(NBBJ) - Visitors to Sonoma County spent $1.47 billion in 2011, a more than 9 percent increase over 2010, according to the latest figures released by Visit California.

“This is great news for Sonoma County’s thriving hospitality industry,” Ken Fischang, president and chief executive officer of Sonoma County Tourism, said in a statement, adding that hotel occupancy rates have steadily improved.

Year to date, occupancy is up 11.4 percent over 2012, according to Sonoma County Tourism.

Visit California, the state’s official tourism booster, also found that visitor-generated taxes equaled $168 per household in Sonoma County, while tourism-related employment accounted for nearly 17,000 jobs in Sonoma County — or nearly one in every 10 jobs.

Hospitality industry revenue also increased 4.9 percent from 2010 to 2011. From 2001 through 2011, industry revenue from tourism soared 41.5 percent.