Visitor spending continued to break records for North Carolina in 2023, according to data released Tuesday, Aug. 13, by the N.C. Department of Commerce. Travel spending statewide rose 6.9% to $35.6 billion in 2023 to set a record in visitor spending. That growth followed a record-breaking increase of 15% in 2022. Direct tourism employment also increased statewide by 4.8% to 227,000.

Moore County ranked 10th out of all 100 North Carolina counties and Cumberland County followed close behind claiming the 12th spot on the list. 

According to the annual study commissioned by VisitNC, the total visitor expenditures for 2023 for each of the seven counties within GFBJ’s coverage area were:

• Bladen County: $55.99 million
• Cumberland County: $697.09 million
• Harnett County: $124.18 million
• Hoke County: $15.09 million
• Moore County: $805.11 million
• Robeson County: $168.14 million
• Sampson County: $66.64 million

“It’s great to see increasing numbers of people continue to flock to North Carolina to see all we have to offer,” said Governor Roy Cooper in a press release. “Visitors are investing record amounts of money bolstering our booming tourism industry, and that brings good jobs and income to North Carolina businesses and families.”

The visitor spending study, commissioned by Visit NC and conducted by Tourism Economics, provides preliminary estimates of domestic and international traveler expenditures as well as employment, payroll income, and state and local tax revenues directly generated by these expenditures. The statistical model draws on detailed data from Visit NC as well as data derived from federal and state government sources, nationally known private and non-profit travel organizations, and other travel industry sources. 

Results of the study for all NC counties can be accessed at 

partners.visitnc.com/economic-impact-studies.