N.C. ranks 6th in tourism

2006 was a good year for North Carolina tourism. From the beaches to the mountains the state is a hot travel destination. More than 45 million people visited North Carolina last year, making it the sixth-most visited state in the nation. North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley announced the growth to a crowd of 500 travel and tourism leaders. He says the beauty of North Carolina brings tourists. Easley said, "North Carolina is extremely attractive, and it means we have to hold on to what we have, to make sure we protect our natural resources. That's what people come here for." Visitors spent more than $15 billion in 2006, the largest increase in tourism in North Carolina history.