Source: Mount Airy News
by Erin C. Perkins
As the start of the heavy tourist season begins, it’s off to a rather good start, according to recent data released from North Carolina Department of Commerce that shows tourism expenditures on the rise in 2008 from 2007.
In 2008, domestic travelers spent $16.9 billion across the state, which is a little more than a two percent increase from 2007.
Tourism expenditures directly supported 190,500 jobs for North Carolina residents, and generated $4.18 billion to the state’s payroll in 2008.
One of the largest impacts by tourism was food service, which generated $5.4 billion, followed by auto transportation and lodging which each saw $3 billion revenue.
As one of North Carolina’s leading industries, tourism’s economic drive is also making a significant impact in Mount Airy.
“It is important to know that North Carolina moved from the seventh most visited state to the sixth in the United States in trip volume,” said Jessica Icenhour, the director of tourism at the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce.
Referring to data released by the state’s department of commerce, Icenhour said she thought their numbers for the state were an accurate match for Mount Airy as well.
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