Tourism officials recently announced that tourism spending in New Hanover County increased in 2014, over 2013.

Kim Hufham, president/CEO of the New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority, said in a statement that the developments come from the “2014 Economic Impact of Travel on North Carolina Counties” annual study, prepared for Visit NC by the U.S. Travel Association. Additionally, its effect on related employment was up.

The study showed that domestic travel spending in the county jumped 6.3 percent in 2014. More specifically, the 2014 expenditures were estimated to be nearly $507.9 million.

“We are pleased to report that tourism spending and direct tourism employment for New Hanover County increased in 2014, setting a new record that breaks the $500 million mark,” Hufham said in a statement. “We are further  encouraged that New Hanover County Room Occupancy Tax [ROT] collections for fiscal year 2014/2015 also confirm record growth, breaking the $10 million mark.”

According to the study, travel and tourism in the county provided nearly 5,700 jobs, with a payroll of nearly $113.3 million. Additionally, $43.93 million in state and local tax receipts were generated as a result.

“Travel and tourism is an important economic generator that infuses millions of new dollars into our local economy each year,” Hufham said. “When tourism revenues are up it not only means more jobs and a better quality of life for our local citizens, it also means more money to fund beach re-nourishment, the Wilmington Convention Center and other tourism-related projects.”

Among the state’s 100 counties, New Hanover County remained in eighth place in tourism expenditures, according to the study. Statewide, visitor spending rose in all but three of North Carolina’s counties in 2014.