Record Travel Expenditures for 
Virginia’s Blue Ridge in 2013

Tourism spending reached new records in 2013 as an economic driver for the region.  Travel expenditures for Virginia’s Blue Ridge (including the cities of Roanoke and Salem and the counties of Botetourt, Franklin and Roanoke) reached $754,714,762, resulting in a 3.3 percent increase over 2012 while the state of Virginia claimed a 1.4 percent increase.  Regional tourism-supported jobs were also up, increasing to 7,450.  Combined state and local tourism-related taxes totaled $54,374,224.  This data was released yesterday by the Virginia Tourism Corporation in accordance with the United States Travel Association and is based on domestic visitor spending (travelers from within the United States) from per person trips taken 50 miles or more away from home.

"Tourism is BIG Business for Virginia’s Blue Ridge", said Landon Howard, President of the Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau.  "The travel and tourism industry continues to play a key role in economic development and growth in the region, providing valuable jobs and revenue."

Go to http://www.vatc.org/research/economicimpact/ for detailed economic impact reports.