WASHINGTON — Tourism in Virginia continues booming.
The tourism industry, the state’s fifth-largest employer, reached $25 billion in revenue in 2017. That’s a 4.4 percent increase over 2016, according to new statewide data released Tuesday.
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said tourism in Virginia supported 232,000 jobs last year, a 1.1 percent increase.
Overall, the industry provided $1.73 billion in state and local revenue, up 2.8 percent.
Domestic visitors spent $68 million a day in Virginia last year, the state said.
The tourism industry in Virginia was responsible for $5.9 billion in payroll income last year, up 4.8 percent from 2016.
“Our tourism industry is an important and vital component of economic growth and job creation in Virginia,” said Brian Ball, Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “As the tourism sector continues to grow and new product is developed, our communities across the state become even more dynamic and vibrant.”
The Virginia Tourism Corporation is sticking to its “Virginia is for Lovers” marketing brand, which marks its 50th anniversary next year.
Virginia is for Lovers is the longest-running state tourism slogan in the country.
