Tuesday, November 12, 2024
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Domestic visitors spent a record $25.3 billion in North Carolina in 2018, an increase of 5.6 percent from 2017. State tax receipts as a result of visitor spending neared $1.3 billion in 2018, and local tax revenues directly resulting from visitor spending totaled $774.6 million, Gov. Roy Cooper announced Thursday. Visitor expenditures directly supported more than 230,000 jobs and generated more than $6.3 billion in payroll income across North Carolina.
Transylvania County and Henderson County ranked fifth and sixth in tourism employment growth.
“Tourism is one of the top economic drivers in Henderson County bringing visitors from over thirty-nine countries from around the world and all fifty states to experience our local heritage, agritourism, culture, recreation, dining and shopping, and other attractions,” said Beth Carden, executive director of the Tourism Development Authority.
Henderson County tourism impact highlights for 2018:
“North Carolina’s tourism industry set a new record last year in visitor spending despite the effects of the storms,” Cooper said. “This is a testament to the lasting beauty of our state and the determination of our people.”
Noting that North Carolina ranks sixth in the nation for overnight visitation, Visit NC Executive Director Wit Tuttell said the spending growth in all 100 counties confirmed the appeal of the state’s destinations. “There’s a lot of competition for travelers’ time and money,” Tuttell said. “But people come to North Carolina when they know about the state’s natural beauty, our residents’ welcoming spirit, and the irresistible mix of tradition and innovation.”
The data comes from an annual study commissioned by Visit North Carolina, a unit of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina.The study was conducted by the U.S. Travel Association. The study uses sales and tax revenue data, employment figures and other industry and economic data to determine the overall impact of visitor spending in North Carolina.
Highlights include: