Richmond, Virginia, September 14, 2025
News Summary
Virginia has achieved a significant milestone, reporting a record $35.1 billion in visitor spending. This represents a 5.4% increase from 2023. The growth in tourism can be attributed to the rise in the number of visitors and increased spending across various sectors such as lodging and food. With impressive daily spending and job creation, Virginia’s tourism industry is thriving, despite facing ongoing challenges like staffing shortages. The state’s captivating attractions continue to draw vast numbers of domestic and international tourists, reinforcing Virginia’s status as a premier travel destination.
Richmond, Virginia — Virginia has achieved a remarkable milestone in 2024, reporting record visitor spending of $35.1 billion, a 5.4% increase from the $33.3 billion generated in 2023. This surge in tourism spending underscores the state’s successful recovery from the pandemic as overnight visitation climbed to 44.7 million from 43.6 million in the previous year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels for the first time.
On average, visitors spent approximately $96 million per day in Virginia, contributing to the creation of roughly 229,000 jobs in the tourism sector—an increase of 5,000 jobs compared to the prior year. Furthermore, local tourism generated $2.5 billion in state and local tax revenue, yielding an estimated savings of $990 per household in the state.
Sector Growth and Key Attractions
Several sectors within Virginia’s tourism industry experienced notable growth. In Accomack County alone, there were increases in lodging ($72.4 million), food and beverage ($55 million), retail sales ($17.3 million), recreation ($19.9 million), and transportation ($27.6 million). Virginia’s tourism success can be attributed to its captivating attractions, including expansive coastal areas, rich Civil War heritage, and scenic wine trails, which drew both domestic and international visitors.
State Comparisons and National Impact
Virginia is among several U.S. states experiencing significant tourism growth. States such as North Carolina, New Jersey, Michigan, Tennessee, California, Wisconsin, New York City, Montana, and Colorado also reported substantial increases in tourism spending. Nationally, tourism across the U.S. reached an impressive total of $1.3 trillion in 2024, supporting over 9 million jobs in the industry.
Challenges Ahead
Virginia Beach emerged as a principal tourism market within the state, with visitors demonstrating considerable daily spending. However, the tourism industry faces challenges, particularly staffing shortages in lodging services, threatening to impact the ongoing growth of the sector. Future strategies will aim to enhance local infrastructure, develop new attractions, and expand marketing efforts to continue engaging visitors.
Conclusion
As Virginia’s tourism sector evolves, it is transforming local economies and solidifying its status as a prime travel destination by adapting to contemporary travel trends. This impressive growth reflects both local investments and the state’s natural appeal, setting the stage for continued success in the years ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What was the total visitor spending in Virginia for 2024?
Virginia reported a total of $35.1 billion in visitor spending for 2024.
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How much did Virginia’s visitor spending increase from the previous year?
The spending increased by 5.4% from $33.3 billion in 2023.
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What sectors benefited from the tourism growth in Virginia?
Sectors such as lodging, food and beverage, retail sales, recreation, and transportation experienced growth, contributing to the overall increase in visitor spending.
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How many jobs does the tourism industry support in Virginia?
The tourism industry in Virginia supported approximately 229,000 jobs in 2024.
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What measures is Virginia planning to take for future tourism growth?
Future strategies include enhancing local infrastructure, developing new attractions, and expanding marketing efforts.
| Key Features | 2023 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor Spending ($ billion) | 33.3 | 35.1 | +5.4% |
| Overnight Visitation (millions) | 43.6 | 44.7 | +1.1 million |
| Total Jobs Supported | 224,000 | 229,000 | +5,000 |
| Tax Revenue ($ billion) | 2.4 | 2.5 | +0.1 |
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Additional Resources
- CoastTV: Visitor Spending Tops $192M in Accomack County
- Travel and Tour World: Virginia Joins States in Shattering US Tourism Records
- 13 News Now: Virginia Tourism Reaches Record High in 2024
- Rocktown Now: Virginia Tourism Saw Record Spending in 2024
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Virginia tourism
Author: STAFF HERE OUTER BANKS WRITER
The OBX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOBX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in the Outer Banks, Dare County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Outer Banks Seafood Festival, NC VIP Fishing Tournament, and NCBBA Red Drum Tournament. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce and Outer Banks Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in tourism, retail, and hospitality that power the local economy such as Kitty Hawk Kites, Outer Banks Mall, and Avon Fishing Pier. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HERERaleigh.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
