Domestic visitors to and within Orange County spent nearly $198 million in 2017, according to Visit North Carolina. A 2.67 percent increase from 2016, which represents a tax saving of $105.53 per county resident.

Travel and tourism employs more than 1,900 people in Orange County and, according to communications director of the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau, gives a local economy a major boost.

“We’ve seen increases in tax revenue,” says Griffin. “The state tax revenue generated in Orange County due to visitor spending [was] $10.69 million, and local taxes, an increase of four percent at $4.33 million. So, that’s $15 million in local and state tax revenue that’s also positively impacted the area. This shows that travel and tourism has a major economic impact in a positive way on Orange County.”

Griffin lists an improving economy, festivals, conferences and UNC’s 2017 NCAA Basketball Championship among the reasons for this increase in visitor spending. She also believes that the shadow cast over the state by HB2 is finally starting to subside.

“A large conference that was canceled for June 2017 is happening in June 2019, so I think that and also our message that all are welcome,” says Griffin. “We certainly invite all visitors and are open to anyone who’d like to come visit our area.”

Griffin says the new figures show that the Visitors Bureau’s strategy working to attract visitors to Orange County is working.

“Just spreading the word about all the things there are to do and see in the area,” says Griffin. “All our great restaurants and our wonderful attractions and the quality of life here. We’re just working to spread the word to people to visit the area, and we really think that they’ll enjoy their time here.”

Governor Roy Cooper announced earlier this year that visitors to the state as a whole set a record for spending in 2017.

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