Visitors Spend a Record $1.2 Billion in Virginia Beach

According to the United States Travel Association (USTA), the Virginia Beach tourism industry generated a record $1.2 billion in visitor spending in 2011, an 8.2 percent increase over 2010. Local tourism supported jobs totaled 11,760 in Virginia Beach and provided $98 million in state and local taxes.

“Despite the economic downturn experienced by our country over the last several years, the travel and tourism industry continues to remain vital to the economic stability of Virginia Beach. The bottom line is tourism means jobs and revenue,” said James B. Ricketts, the director of the Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau. 

According to the USTA, Virginia tourism generated $20.4 billion in revenue, an 8 percent increase over 2010.  Tourism also supported 207,000 jobs in the Commonwealth and provided $1.32 billion in state and local taxes. 

All data was received by the Virginia Tourism Corporation from USTA and is based on domestic visitor spending (travelers from within the United States) from per person trips taken 50 miles or more away from home. Detailed economic impact data by Virginia locality is available at www.Vatc.org under Research.

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