Burke County sees second-highest Visitor Spending percentage increase in the state

Tourism spending in Burke County jumped nearly 12% in 2024, reaching $154 million and ranking second in growth among all North Carolina counties.

The data was released today in an annual study commissioned by Visit North Carolina, a unit of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. Stokes County took the top spot in growth at 

“Visitors to the Burke County Visitor Center were up 71% Jan. 1 to Sept. 27," said Ed Phillips, CEO of the Burke County Tourism Development Authority. "Hotel demand was strong throughout the year in Burke and hotel rates inched up as more visitors sought to spend the night here. Burke County also has more than 200 vacation rentals spread throughout the county. Travel to Western North Carolina was upset after Hurricane Helene, but damage to Burke County hospitality businesses was less here than other nearby destinations. We have a lot to be thankful for here.”

Tourism impact highlights for 2024:

• The travel and tourism industry directly employees more than 931 in Burke County, an increase of 7.6% over 2023 which was also the second highest growth rate in the state.
• Total payroll generated by the tourism industry in Burke County was $32.8 million.
• State tax revenue generated in Burke County totaled $5.86 million through state sales and excise taxes, and taxes on personal and corporate income. About $4.6 million in local taxes were generated from occupancy, sales, and property tax revenues from travel-generated and travel-supported businesses.

These statistics come from the “Economic Impact of Travel on North Carolina Counties 2024," which can be accessed at partners.visitnc.com/economic-impact-studies. 

“The study confirms the strength of North Carolina’s tourism industry,” said Wit Tuttell, executive director of Visit NC. “The fact of spending growth, even in the headwinds of Hurricane Helene, underscores the industry’s vitality and the appeal of our destinations and the authentic cultural, recreational and culinary experiences that travelers find rewarding.”

Tuttell noted that while the data includes the three months of 2024 that followed the storm, the study’s timing, methodology, and purpose are not intended to be an evaluation of storm impact on visitation or spending, but a gauge of the overall health of the visitor economy for 2024.

“It’s certainly an indication of where the effects were felt,” he said, “but given the complexities of the tourism industry and the timeframe of this research, we need to resist the temptation to view the data as a definitive report of the storm’s economic impact. As travelers return, we will celebrate the resiliency behind the mountain recovery efforts that fortify the industry and underscore its value to our workforce, our businesses and our tax base.”

Statewide, visitor spending in 2024 rose 3.1% to reach a record $36.7 billion. Direct tourism employment increased 1.4% to 230,338.

“The new study underscores the importance of tourism to every county in North Carolina,” Tuttell said. “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.”

State tourism facts:

• Total spending by domestic and international visitors in North Carolina reached $36.7 billion in 2024. That sum represents a 3.1% increase over 2023 expenditures.
• Domestic travelers spent a record $36.7 billion in 2024. Spending was up 3.1% from 2023.
• Visitors to North Carolina generated nearly $4.5 billion in federal, state and local taxes in 2024. The total represents a 5.8% increase from 2023.
• State tax receipts from visitor spending rose 5.6% to $1.3 billion in 2024.
• Direct tourism employment in North Carolina increased 1.4% to 230,338.
• Direct tourism payroll increased 6.6% 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 $593 on average in state and local taxes as a direct result of visitor spending in the state. Savings per capita averaged $242.
• North Carolina hosted about 43 million visitors in 2023.

“This news underscores what we all know: North Carolina is not only a fantastic place to live, but it’s a special place to visit,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Whether you are visiting our coast, touring the Piedmont, or returning to support western North Carolina’s comeback, there’s an incredible trip waiting for every visitor. I am excited to welcome more tourists to North Carolina this fall to discover our unforgettable state.”