- by travelandtourworld
- 30 Oct 2024
Virginia's tourism industry reached new heights in 2023, with visitors spending a record $33.3 billion, nearly 10% more than in 2022, according to the Virginia Tourism Corporation The industry supported over 224,000 jobs last year, marking an increase of more than 13,000 jobs compared to 2022.
Virginia's tourism industry reached new heights in 2023, with visitors spending a record $33.3 billion, nearly 10% more than in 2022, according to the Virginia Tourism Corporation The industry supported over 224,000 jobs last year, marking an increase of more than 13,000 jobs compared to 2022.
Key highlights from the VTC report include:
Caren Merrick, Virginia's Secretary of Commerce and Trade, noted that the full recovery and growth in all categories of visitor spending reflect the state's diverse and dynamic tourism offerings.
Governor Glenn Youngkin praised the record-breaking visitor spending, emphasizing the essential role of travel and tourism in Virginia's economy. He highlighted that the tourism industry is vital for economic prosperity, job creation, community building, and enhancing the quality of life for Virginians.
The report shows that all five categories of visitor spendingâÃâ¬Ãârecreation, transportation, lodging, food & beverage, and retailâÃâ¬Ãâhave fully recovered and exceeded pre-pandemic levels. Recreation saw the fastest growth, up 12% from 2022 and 24% beyond pre-pandemic levels, while transportation spending increased by 11%, surpassing pre-pandemic levels by the same percentage. Lodging spending grew by 9% in 2023, exceeding 2019 levels by 13%. The balanced performance of Virginia's visitor economy, with strong recovery in business and group demand on weekdays and stable leisure demand during weekends, contributed to this growth.
A Delta Air Lines flight bound for New York City from Las Vegas made an emergency landing shortly after takeoff on October 29, 2024, due to fumes in the cockpit. Flight DL2133, originating from Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas and destined for LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York, reported an issue within minutes of departure, leading the crew to declare an emergency and return to the Las Vegas airport for a safe landing.
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