The pandemic appears to be in the rearview mirror of travelers who are returning to Virginia and to the City of Waynesboro.
The Virginia Tourism Corporation released new numbers showing record high visitor spending in the state generating $33.3 billion in 2023, an increase of nearly 10 percent from the previous year. The state numbers also exceed pre-pandemic levels by 14.7 percent, according to the VTC.
In Waynesboro, direct visitor spending reached $77.8 million, which represents a 6.5 percent increase over 2022, slightly below the state average.
According to the data, there were 868 tourism-support jobs in Waynesboro with tourism-related taxes at $3.8 million.
Waynesboro markets itself as the Gateway to the Blue Ridge Parkway, Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park and the Appalachian Trail with a slogan of “Where Good Nature Comes Naturally”.
The city as a whole has embraced travelers and residents looking for recreation, the highest growth area in the state, by highlighting bike trails, fly fishing, the South River Greenway, the South River Preserve and the recently opened Sunset Park.
“The tourism sector is a vital driver for economic growth, especially in Waynesboro and the Shenandoah Valley,” said Stephanie Duffy, assistant director for economic development and tourism in Waynesboro.
2023 Virginia tourism numbers
- Travelers spent $91 million a day in Virginia in 2023, up from $83 million in 2022
- Drove $2.4 billion in state and local tax revenue, an increase of 9 percent from $2.2 billion in 2022
- Overnight visitation increased to 43.6 million visitors in 2023, up from 42.2 million in 2022
- Directly supported more than 224,000 jobs in 2023, an increase of more than 13,000 jobs compared to 2022
- Recreation was the fastest growing category of visitor spending in 2023, up 12 percent over 2022 and 24 percent beyond pre-pandemic levels
VTC receives its annual economic impact data from Tourism Economics.
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Crystal Graham
