Special to IFN

Visitors spent $383.44 million in Iredell County in 2023, an increase of 4.2 percent from 2022, according to an annual study commissioned by VisitNC, a unit of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina.

“As the county seat, Statesville takes great pride in driving tourism alongside our partners at Visit Mooresville,” said Cindy Sutton, executive director of the Statesville Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Together, we ensure that our community remains a vibrant and welcoming destination for visitors from all over. The growth in tourism spending is a testament to our collaborative efforts and the unique offerings that make Iredell County a standout location in North Carolina.”

Tourism Impact

Iredell County’s tourism sector employed 2,428 individuals, accounting for 1.1 percent of the state’s total tourism employment. The county generated $90.2 million in labor income, contributing positively to the local economy. Additionally, state tax revenues from tourism amounted to $14.5 million, while local tax revenues totaled $12.6 million, highlighting the critical role that tourism plays in supporting our community’s financial health.

Compared to other counties, Iredell County’s performance reflects steady growth and underscores its position as a key player in North Carolina’s tourism industry.

“Visitor spending not only supports our small businesses and creates jobs, but it also generates significant tax revenue that helps fund essential services in our community,” State Sen. Vickie Sawyer said. “The economic benefits of tourism are far-reaching, improving the quality of life for our residents and making Iredell County an even more vibrant place to live and visit.”

These statistics come from the “Economic Impact of Travel on North Carolina Counties 2023,” which can be accessed at partners.visitnc.com/economic-impact-studies. The study was prepared for Visit North Carolina by Tourism Economics.

Statewide, visitor spending rose by 6.9 percent in 2023 to reach a record $35.6 billion. Direct tourism employment increased 4.8 percent to 227,224.

“The new study underscores the importance of tourism to every county in North Carolina,” said Wit Tuttell, executive director of Visit NC. “There’s a lot of competition for travelers’ time and money, and we owe our success to everything from the state’s scenic beauty and outdoor adventure to our mix of tradition and innovation and our welcoming spirit. Those qualities might be hard to measure, but we can follow the trail to a measurable impact on our workforce, our businesses and our tax base. We look forward to continued success.”

NC Tourism Facts

• Total spending by domestic and international visitors in North Carolina reached $35.6 billion in 2023. That sum represents a 6.9 percent increase over 2022 expenditures.

• Domestic travelers spent a record $34.6 billion in 2023. Spending was up 6.8 percent from $32.4 billion in 2022.

• International travelers spent $997 million in 2023, up 9.5 percent from the previous year.

• Visitors to North Carolina generated nearly $4.5 billion in federal, state and local taxes in 2023. The total represents a 5.8 percent increase from 2022.

• State tax receipts from visitor spending rose 5.6 percent to $1.3 billion in 2023.

• Local tax receipts grew 5.4 percent to $1.2 billion.

• Direct tourism employment in North Carolina increased 4.8 percent to 227,224.

• Direct tourism payroll increased 6.6 percent to nearly $9.3 billion.

• Visitors spend more than $97 million per day in North Carolina. That spending adds $7.1 million per day to state and local tax revenues (about $3.7 million in state taxes and $3.4 million in local taxes).

• Each North Carolina household saved $518 on average in state and local taxes as a direct result of visitor spending in the state. Savings per capita averaged $239.

• North Carolina hosted about 43 million visitors in 2023.