North Carolina Visitor Spending Rises

Despite the sluggish economy tourists spent more money in North Carolina than ever before. The North Carolina division of tourism reports that visitors spent a record 17 billion dollars in North Carolina last year. $426 million of that was spent in New Hanover County. That's up almost 10 percent from last year. Mayor Bill Saffo says the attractions in our area are one reason for the increase, but also that foreigners are visiting because of the weak American dollar. This increase in tourism means more money in our local economy. Kerry Green, a Wrightsville Beach tourist from Maryland, said “we definitely do shopping; there are some great little boutiques and restaurants. We like going down by the river and we like the little shops by the beach and we go out to dinner most nights." According to the North Carolina Division of Tourism travel and tourism has created almost 5,700 jobs in New Hanover County. Tourists have also generated more than $37 million in state and local taxes.