In 2018, travelers spent $25.3 billion across North Carolina – an increase of 5.6% over 2017, and a record high.
Tourism employed more than 230,000 North Carolinians, up more than 2% and also a record high.
Tourism is North Carolina’s fourth-largest private employment sector, active in all 100 counties.
North Carolina’s travel and tourism industry contributed almost $5.6 billion to the state’s payroll.
Traveler spending in North Carolina generated $3.9 billion in state, federal, and local taxes:
· $1.28 billion in state revenue
· $774.6 million in local revenue
Each NC household saves on average $532 in state and local taxes as a direct result of visitor spending in the state.
With over 51 million visitors in 2018, North Carolina was America’s sixth-most-visited state, behind only California, Florida, Texas, New York, and Pennsylvania.
