The Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau announced today the regional tourism industry generated $650 million in visitor spending in 2010, an increase of 6% over 2009, demonstrating the importance of tourism to the local economy.  Tourism also generated 7,082 jobs and $22 million in local taxes.  (Source - Virginia Tourism Corporation figures for the cities of Roanoke and Salem and the counties of Roanoke, Botetourt and Franklin)

"Tourism is big business and we're pleased to see the healthy increases in visitor spending, especially in light of the economy," said Landon Howard, Executive Director of the Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau.  Howard went on to say, "the real credit goes to the Valley's hospitality industry and their commitment to offering an excellent visitor experience at every opportunity."

In the same year, visitors to Virginia generated $18.9 billion in revenue, a 6.7% increase over 2009. Tourism in Virginia supported 204,000 jobs and provided more than $1.3 billion in state and local tax revenues in 2010.  "Tourism is an instant revenue generator both for the Commonwealth and for localities," said Alisa Bailey, President and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation. "Tourists contribute greatly to Virginia's tax revenue and drive the demand for more jobs in hotels, restaurants, stores, attractions and businesses in every community."