ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, N.C. — Rockingham County is seeing an uptick in its tourism and visitor spending.
An annual study from VisitNC revealed a 6.4% increase in visitor spending in 2023 from domestic and international visitors to and within Rockingham County.
"This year’s record-breaking tourism spending is, yet again, a testament to the collaborative efforts between our local businesses, municipal and nonprofit partners, and our office to promote Rockingham County as a great place to paddle, tube, hike, shop, and sip," Lindsey Pegg, the Rockingham County Tourism Manager, said.
The travel and tourism industry in Rockingham County offers many job opportunities to residents and community members. More than 688 people in Rockingham County were directly employed in travel and tourism, according to the study.
Visitor spending is helping both the county and North Carolina experience economic growth.
Rockingham County generated $3.8 million in state tax revenue, and $3.1 million in local taxes came from occupancy, sales, and property tax revenue from travel-related businesses.
North Carolina experienced $35.6 billion in visitor spending in 2023, and direct tourism employment increased by over 4% throughout the state. Visitors coming to the state were reported to spend more than $97 million in a day, adding $7.1 million per day to state and local tax revenues.
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