Virginia tourism revenues reach $25 billion in 2017

Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday that Virginia’s tourism revenues reached $25 billion in 2017, a 4.4 percent increase over 2016.

In 2017, tourism in Virginia supported 232,000 jobs — an increase of 1.1 percent compared to the previous year. The tourism industry also provided $1.73 billion in state and local revenue, an increase of 2.8 percent compared to 2016. The travel industry is the fifth largest employer in Virginia.

In 2017, domestic travelers spent $68 million a day in Virginia, the factor behind the more than 4 percent bump. Domestic travel-supported employees in Virginia earned nearly $5.9 billion in payroll income during 2017, representing a 4.8 percent increase from 2016. 

“Virginia’s tourism industry is an important diversifier for our economy as it continues to grow and flourish in multiple regions of our Commonwealth,” Gov. Northam said in a statement. “Travelers are coming to Virginia from across the country and the globe to experience our rich historic attractions, unmatched outdoor recreation offerings, eight oyster regions, world-class food and craft beverages, beautiful landscapes, and exciting arts and culture. These visitors are spending millions of dollars a day, injecting critical funds back into our community coffers and helping to make Virginia the best place to live, work, and raise a family.”