In 2023, domestic and international visitor spending in Cumberland County rose to $697 million. The data comes from an annual study commissioned by Visit North Carolina, a unit of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina.
"Seeing the growth and the significant impact of the tourism industry in Cumberland County is a testament to our local businesses, residents, and all who champion our region," said Devin Heath, CEO of DistiNCtly Fayetteville. "This notable growth reflects not only our region's rising allure but also the collective effort of our community in delivering exceptional experiences for all who visit. We look forward to continuing this momentum and welcoming even more visitors to Fayetteville in the future."
2023 Cumberland County Tourism Impact Highlights:
- The travel and tourism industry directly employs more than 4,942 people in Cumberland County
- Total payroll generated by the tourism industry in Cumberland County was $176.4 million
- State and local tax revenues totaled $49.2 million from travel to Cumberland County
- Tourism spending in Cumberland County reached $697 million for a 4.6 percent increase
Statewide, visitor spending in 2023 increased by 6.9 percent to reach a record $35.6 billion, and North Carolina welcomed approximately 43 million visitors. These statistics come from "The Economic Impact of Travel on North Carolina Counties," which can be accessed at partners.visitnc.com/economic-impact-studies. This study was prepared for Visit North Carolina by Tourism Economics.