State Spending by Visitors Jumps to Record $17 Billion – Great for NC market…and the Outer Banks!

Gov. Bev Perdue announced today that visitors to North Carolina spent a record $17 billion in 2010, an increase of 9 percent from 2009. As the sixth most visited state in the nation North Carolina has become a great market for tourism related industries and the Outer Banks is on the top of the list.

“North Carolina’s natural and cultural treasures bring people and dollars into our state,” Gov. Perdue said during remarks at the N.C. Governor’s Conference on Tourism and Hospitality in Asheville. Visitors and vacationers spend money that helps local economies thrive and creates jobs here in North Carolina.

More than 40,000 businesses in North Carolina directly provide products and services to travelers. Visitors are spending more than $46.6 million per day in North Carolina and contribute nearly $4.1 million per day in state and local tax revenues as a result of that spending, according to the U.S. Travel Association.

The record-setting increase in visitor spending in tourism and the jobs being created in our state is great news for North Carolinians. In such tough economic times is it refreshing to see people still investing in our area and enjoying the thrills of our very own Outer Banks. It is a testament to the strength of our tourism product and the partnership in the North Carolina travel industry.