County Spending by Domestic Visitors Increases by 5.9 Percent to Exceed $1.1 Billion

Wilmington, N.C.- August 13, 2024 — Domestic and international visitors to and within New Hanover County spent more than $1.1 billion ($1,122.17 million) in 2023, which represents an increase of 5.9 percent from 2022 spending. New Hanover County ranks 8th in visitor spending among North Carolina’s 100 counties. Tourism employment in New Hanover County increased to 6,790 in 2023, up from 6,676 in 2022. The data comes from an annual study commissioned by Visit North Carolina, a unit of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina.

“The Wilmington and Beaches CVB is pleased to announce that visitor spending in New Hanover County once again set a new benchmark in 2023, besting last year’s first time to exceed the $1 billion mark,” states Kim Hufham, president/CEO of the New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority. “During calendar year 2023, countywide room occupancy tax collections totaled more than $24.9 million dollars, an increase of 4.94% over the previous ROT benchmark set in 2022. This continued growth can be attributed to our visitor-friendly destination that embodies the best of the Carolina coast.”

Travel and tourism is vital to the economic success of New Hanover County, especially in terms of jobs, small businesses, growth and quality of place. Our community benefits from visitor spending through job creation and a room tax base that helps fund beach renourishment, the Wilmington Convention Center, ocean safety programs, and other tourism-related projects. Additionally, travel-generated state and local tax revenues help offset the tax burden of local citizens.

Tourism impact highlights for 2023:

  • Domestic visitors to and within New Hanover County spent an estimated $1.1 billion ($1,122.17 million) in 2023, which represents an increase of 5.9 percent from 2022 spending, setting a new record.
  • The travel and tourism industry directly employs more than 6,790 people in New Hanover County.
  • Total payroll generated by the tourism industry in New Hanover County was $278.9 million.
  • State tax revenue generated in New Hanover County totaled $37 million through state sales and excise taxes, and taxes on personal and corporate income. About $40.3 million in local taxes were generated from sales and property tax revenue from travel-generated and travel-supported businesses.
  • Travel-generated state and local tax revenues saved each New Hanover County resident an estimated $323.85.

These statistics come from the “The Economic Impact of Travel on North Carolina Counties,” which can be accessed at partners.visitnc.com/economic-impact-studies. The study was prepared for Visit North Carolina by Tourism Economics.

Statewide, visitor spending in 2023 rose 6.9 percent to reach a record $35.6 billion in North Carolina. Direct tourism employment increased 4.8 percent to 227,200.

“The new study underscores the importance of tourism to every county in North Carolina,” said Visit NC's Wit Tuttell. “There’s a lot of competition for travelers’ time and money, and we owe our success to everything from the state’s scenic beauty and outdoor adventure to our mix of tradition and innovation and our welcoming spirit. Those qualities might be hard to measure, but we can follow the trail to a measurable impact on our workforce, our businesses and our tax base. We look forward to continued success.”

The New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority (TDA), d/b/a Wilmington and Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau, markets and develops the county and its communities’ leisure and group travel experiences for economic growth and quality of place.

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Contact:
Connie Nelson
Communications/PR Director
Wilmington and Beaches CVB
910-341-4030 x120
866-266-9690
cvbpr@wilmingtonandbeaches.com