County Spending by Domestic Visitors Increases by 3.4 Percent


The North Carolina Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development announced today that domestic visitors to and within Johnston County spent $197.66 million in 2012, an increase of 3.4 percentage from 2011.

"A sign of a healthy tourism economy in Johnston County is evident in the return of development projects in the county with  hotels opening in 2012,  capital improvements at area attractions, and the growing interest in attracting sporting tournaments," stated Donna Bailey-Taylor, "we are also excited to see the expansion in meeting and special events venues with The Farm Banquet Hall opening this October."

Tourism impact highlights for 2012:

    • The travel and tourism industry directly employees more than 4,000 full and part-time in Johnston County.
    • Total payroll generated by the tourism industry in Johnston was $29 million.
    • State tax revenue generated in Johnston County totaled $10.78 million through state sales and excise taxes, and taxes on personal and corporate income.
    • Approximately $4.88 million in local taxes were generated from sales and property tax revenue from travel-generated and travel-supported businesses.


Gov. Pat McCrory announced in May that visitors to North Carolina spent a record $19.4 billion in 2012, an increase of 5.4 percent from 2011. These statistics are from the “2012 Economic Impact Of Travel On North Carolina Counties.” The study was prepared for the North Carolina Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development by the U.S. Travel Association.
Statewide highlights include:
 

    • State tax receipts as a result of visitor spending neared $1 billion in 2012 and have increased 42 percent in the last 10 years.
    • Visitors spend more than $53 million per day in North Carolina and contribute over $4.2 million per day in state and local tax revenues as a result of that spending (about $2.7 million in state taxes and $1.6 million in local taxes).
    •  The travel and tourism industry directly employees nearly 200,000 North Carolinians.


We often rely on the research provided by the NC Division of Tourism, as they have a research department and we are a small bureau and do not have the funds to commission research studies.  Two of the most helpful Fact Sheets area businesses can use to understand who their "visitor market" may be and their "demographics" are the following two quick fact sheets.  We encourage area business to consider the visitor in their market mix when marketing or operating a business -- retail and restaurants owners may not know that up to 35% of their business could come from visitors.