The N.C. Travel & Tourism Coalition recently awarded its inaugural Tourism Champion Award to state Rep. Ted Davis.

The Republican representative from New Hanover County was honored for his continued support of the state’s $21 billion travel and tourism industry, officials said.

Davis received his award at a luncheon hosted by the Wilmington and Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau, a N.C. Travel & Tourism Coalition member.

“I would like to thank Rep. Davis for his leadership and support of tourism,” said Kim Hufham, president and CEO of the New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority. “We are grateful to Rep. Davis for his commitment and service.”

According to the coalition, the $21.3 billion in visitor spending statewide in 2014 represents a 5.4 percent increase over 2013 – and was a record high. Additionally, tourism dollars directly supported nearly 205,000 jobs for state residents, up 3 percent from 2013, also a record high figure for employment.

Among Davis’ responsibilities in the N.C. General Assembly is chairing the Occupancy Tax Subcommittee of the House Finance Committee. In that role, Davis has influence on state policies governing the use of local lodging taxes.

“With tourism policy issues becoming more prevalent at the General Assembly, the Coalition hopes its new Tourism Champion Awards will help raise public awareness of the broad reach and benefits of the state’s travel and tourism industry – the state’s only economic sector that kept growing through the Great Recession,” coalition chairman Rolf Blizzard said.