Charlotte keys record tourism spending

In a significant boost for North Carolina's economy, the tourism industry reported record spending in 2023, with Charlotte, Raleigh, Asheville, and the Outer Banks leading the way. According to the North Carolina Department of Commerce, visitor spending reached $35.6 billion, marking a 6.9% increase from the previous year. The report also highlighted a rise in direct tourism employment, which climbed to 227,000, reflecting a 4.8% growth. The economic impact of tourism extends beyond direct spending, as North Carolina households reportedly save an average of $518 in state and local taxes due to visitor expenditures. An estimated 43 million travelers visited the state in 2023, generating a total of $44.5 billion in federal, state, and local taxes, with state tax receipts from tourism amounting to $1.3 billion. Wit Tuttell, executive director of Visit NC, emphasized the vital role of tourism in supporting the state's economy and workforce. Mecklenburg County emerged as the top destination for traveler expenditures, totaling $5.8 billion, followed by Wake County at $3.3 billion, Buncombe at $3 billion, and Dare at $2.1 billion. In terms of direct tourism employment, Mecklenburg again led with 36,310 jobs, followed by Wake, Buncombe, Dare, and Guilford counties. The study, conducted by Tourism Economics and commissioned by Visit NC, utilized a comprehensive statistical model to assess the economic contributions of tourism across the state.