2024 visitor impact for New Hanover County; record spending sets new benchmark
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Domestic and international visitors to and within New Hanover County spent nearly $1.14 billion in 2024, which represents an increase of 1.5 percent from 2023 spending according to Visit North Carolina.
The annual study says that New Hanover County ranks 8th in visitor spending among North Carolina’s 100 counties and that tourism employment in New Hanover County increased to 7,003 in 2024, up from 6,790 in 2023.
“The Wilmington and Beaches CVB is pleased to announce that visitor spending in New Hanover County once again set a new benchmark in 2024, marking our third consecutive year to exceed the $1 billion mark,” states Kim Hufham, president/CEO of the New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority.
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 was prepared for Visit North Carolina by Tourism Economics.
Statewide, visitor spending in 2024 rose 3.1 percent to reach a record $36.7 billion. Visitors spend more than $100 million per day in North Carolina. That spending adds $7.3 million per day to state and local tax revenues. Direct tourism employment in the state increased 1.4 percent to 230,338.
