2024 Visitor Impact for Mecklenburg County
County Spending Increases by 8.9% to $6.4 Billion
Charlotte, N.C. — Domestic and international visitors to and within Mecklenburg County spent $6.4 billion in 2024, marking an 8.9% increase from 2023. This data is from an annual study commissioned by Visit NC, a division of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina.
“The record $6.4 billion in visitor spending affirms Mecklenburg County’s position as North Carolina’s top destination,” said Steve Bagwell, chief executive officer of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA). “Charlotte’s momentum has never been stronger, and the CRVA is proud to lead the region’s visitor economy as a driving force fueling the city’s continued rise.”
In addition to the record visitor spending, Mecklenburg County saw a significant increase in employment within the tourism sector. The county boasts the largest number of direct tourism employees in North Carolina.
"The visitor economy we build fuels local businesses, supports nearly 38,000 jobs, and generates resources that strengthen our community,” Bagwell said. "Every dollar spent by a visitor ripples through our region by creating jobs, driving investment, and generating millions in tax savings for residents. Year after year, the CRVA is demonstrating that tourism is not just about welcoming visitors — it is about leading Charlotte’s growth and shaping the city’s future.”
The CRVA’s regional footprint includes 11 North Carolina counties — Alexander, Cabarrus, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly, and Union — along with four South Carolina counties: Chester, Chesterfield, Lancaster, and York. While 2024 visitor spending data is not reported for the South Carolina counties, total visitor spending for the region, excluding those counties, amounts to $9.1 billion.
Tourism Impact Highlights for 2024:
- Mecklenburg County ranked #1 in visitor spending, capturing 17.3% of the total visitor spend in the state.
- The travel and tourism industry directly employs 37,969 people in Mecklenburg County—the highest of any county in North Carolina.
- Total payroll generated by the tourism industry in Mecklenburg County reached $2.09 billion.
- State tax revenue generated in Mecklenburg County totaled $219.3 million through state sales and excise taxes, along with taxes on personal and corporate income. Additionally, $200.1 million in local taxes were generated from occupancy, sales, and property taxes related to travel-generated and travel-supported businesses.
- Tax revenue from visitor spending in Mecklenburg County created annual tax savings of $356 per resident.
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. Direct tourism employment increased 1.4 percent to 230,338.
NC Tourism Facts (2024)
- Total spending by domestic and international visitors in North Carolina reached $36.7 billion in 2024, a 3.1% increase over 2023 expenditures.
- Domestic travelers spent a record $35.6 billion in 2024, up 2.7% from $34.6 billion in 2023.
- International travelers spent $1.2 billion in 2024, up 16.5% from the previous year.
- Visitors to North Carolina generated nearly $4.6 billion in federal, state and local taxes in 2024, a 2.9% increase from 2023.
- State tax receipts from visitor spending rose 1.1% to nearly $1.4 billion in 2024.
- Local tax receipts grew 4.3% to nearly $1.3 billion.
- Direct tourism employment in North Carolina increased 1.4% to 230,338.
- Direct tourism payroll increased 2.6% to nearly $9.5 billion.
- Visitors spent more than $100 million per day in North Carolina. That spending added $7.3 million per day to state and local tax revenues (about $3.7 million in state taxes and $3.6 million in local taxes).
- Each North Carolina household saved $593 on average in state and local taxes as a direct result of visitor spending in the state. Savings per capita averaged $242.
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About the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority
The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) works to deliver experiences that uniquely enrich the lives of our visitors and residents. Through leadership in destination development, marketing and venue management expertise, the CRVA leads efforts to maximize the region’s economic potential through visitor spending, creating jobs and opportunities for the community. Brands supported by the CRVA include the Charlotte Convention Center, Spectrum Center, Bojangles Entertainment Complex, NASCAR Hall of Fame, Charlotte Film Commission, Visit Charlotte, in conjunction with the region’s destination marketing brand and Visitor Info Centers. For more information, visit crva.com.