Tourist spending in New Hanover County added up to more than $1 billion last year, according to a study released this week.

Domestic and international visitors to and within the county spent more than $1.1 billion in 2023, an increase of 5.9% from 2022 spending, a news release from the Wilmington and Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau stated.

According to the release, New Hanover County ranks 8th in visitor spending among North Carolina’s 100 counties. Tourism employment in New Hanover County increased to 6,790 in 2023, up from 6,676 in 2022.

The data comes from an annual study commissioned by Visit North Carolina, a unit of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, the release stated.

“The Wilmington and Beaches CVB is pleased to announce that visitor spending in New Hanover County once again set a new benchmark in 2023, besting last year’s first time to exceed the $1 billion mark,” stated Kim Hufham, president and CEO of the New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority, in the release. “During calendar year 2023, countywide room occupancy tax collections totaled more than $24.9 million dollars, an increase of 4.94% over the previous ROT benchmark set in 2022. This continued growth can be attributed to our visitor-friendly destination that embodies the best of the Carolina coast.”

Additional highlights from the 2023 study:

• Total payroll generated by the tourism industry in New Hanover County was $278.9 million.
• State tax revenue generated in New Hanover County totaled $37 million through state sales and excise taxes, and taxes on personal and corporate income. About $40.3 million in local taxes were generated from sales and property tax revenue from travel-generated and travel-supported businesses.
• Travel-generated state and local tax revenues saved each New Hanover County resident an estimated $323.85.

The study was prepared for Visit North Carolina by Tourism Economics, according to the release.

Statewide, visitor spending in 2023 rose 6.9% to reach a record $35.6 billion in North Carolina. Direct tourism employment increased 4.8% to 227,200, the release stated.

Visit NC's Wit Tuttell stated in the release, “There’s a lot of competition for travelers’ time and money, and we owe our success to everything from the state’s scenic beauty and outdoor adventure to our mix of tradition and innovation and our welcoming spirit.”