2021 Visitor Impact for Alamance County
County Spending Increases by 54.7% Percent to $225 million
BURLINGTON, NC — Domestic and international visitors to and within Alamance County spent $225 million in 2021, an increase of 54.7% from 2020. The data comes from an annual study commissioned by Visit North Carolina, a unit of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina.
“We are thrilled with the growth in tourism spending in the county, and across the state. This rebound after the pandemic has been phenomenal. Travelers were ready to get back to traveling and exploring our communities and region. Throughout the year, visitors, and locals alike, continued to explore and learn more about our attractions and points of interest. Our partners’ hard work during this past year continues to elevate our tourism economy, by providing great services and experiences.” stated Grace VandeVisser, Executive Director of the Alamance County Visitors Bureau.
Tourism impact highlights for 2021
- The travel and tourism industry directly employed more than 1,600 in Alamance County.
- Total payroll generated by the tourism industry in Alamance County was $53.2 million.
- State tax revenue generated in Alamance County totaled $10.3 million through state sales and excise taxes, and taxes on personal and corporate income. About $6.6 million in local taxes were generated from sales and property tax revenue from travel-generated and travel-supported businesses.
These statistics come from the “Economic Impact of Travel on North Carolina Counties 2021,” which can be accessed at partners.visitnc.com/economic-impact-studies. The study was prepared for Visit North Carolina by Tourism Economics in collaboration with the U.S. Travel Association.
Statewide, visitor spending in 2021 rebounded by 44.9 percent to reach $28.9 billion. Following the devastating pandemic-related losses of 2020, the total fell just short of the record $29.22 spent in 2019. Direct tourism employment increased 10.5 percent to 197,500.
“These findings are something that everyone in North Carolina can celebrate,” said Visit NC Director Wit Tuttell. “They’re a testament to the resilience of our businesses and our residents, and to the enduring appeal of destinations that include everything a traveler might want. The economic well-being of the state and all its communities rises with the pleasures travelers find in the natural beauty of our public spaces, our culinary traditions and innovation, our remarkable towns and our spirited cities. North Carolina can claim it all.”
Statewide highlights include:
- Domestic travelers spent a record $28.6 billion in 2021. Spending was up 45.2 percent from $19.7 billion in 2020.
- State tax receipts from visitor spending rose 34 percent to nearly $1.2 billion in 2021.
- Local tax receipts grew 26 percent to $1.1 billion.
- Visitors spent more than $79 million per day in North Carolina. That spending added $6.4 million per day to state and local tax revenues (about $3.3 million in state taxes and $3.1 million in local taxes).
- Each North Carolina household saved $580 on average in state and local taxes as a direct result of visitor spending in the state. Savings per capita averaged $222.
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CONTACT: Grace VandeVisser ,Executive Director, Alamance County Visitors Bureau 336-570-1444 / Grace@VisitAlamance.com
