SAN DIEGO -- After a three-year slump, tourism in San Diego is making a comeback with a 3-percent increase in hotel room occupancy, according to a local analyst.

The Pantai Inn in La Jolla was the only hotel to open in San Diego in 2011. Robert Rauch, the hotel's owner and hospitality specialist, told 10News business has been good and believes it is about to get even better.

"For the next five years, I foresee good times ahead after three horrendous years for our industry," said Rauch.

According to Rauch's hospitality firm R.A. Rauch & Associates, tourism in San Diego County in 2012 is expected to rake in $10 million in new tax revenue, create 1,000 new jobs and have 450,000 more hotel rooms occupied across the county.

Rauch expects more than 100,000 additional visitors in 2012 to soak up the sun and take advantage of what the area has to offer.

"We have everything right here in San Diego, so there is no other destination that has all of that and a world-class convention center and a hotel community to support that convention center," he said. "I just don't know of a better place."

The annual gathering of the Professional Convention Management Association also kicked off on Sunday.

Tourism officials call the convention one of San Diego's best opportunities to sell itself as a destination.

The event is expected to bring draw about 4,000 participants, who will set up conferences and meetings in future years and decide where they will be held.

To demonstrate its importance San Diego, the Convention Center estimated that the 65 conventions it is set to host in 2012 will result in local spending totaling $654.3 million.

"San Diego is committed to the convention and meetings industry, and our local tourism community is looking forward to showcasing our world-class destination and its many offerings to PCMA attendees from around the world," said Joe Terzi, president and CEO of the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The four-day meeting will take place at the Convention Center and Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel.

Carol Wallace, the president and CEO of the center, said it is a chance to show off the changes to the city since the PCMA was last here in 1996, including two new major hotels, the USS Midway Museum, Petco Park and improvements to the Gaslamp Quarter.

Tourism officials say cities that host the organization feel the economic benefits for years, because attendees later book their own events in those places.

Some of those attending the meeting plan to volunteer at a center for children with autism in Hillcrest, where they will help with painting and landscaping. A reception is scheduled for Sunday night.

On Monday, Mayor Jerry Sanders is set to declare it "PCMA Day" in San Diego.