SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, VA — Visitor spending in Spotsylvania County has soared nearly 35% since 2019, reflecting a strong rebound and continued growth in local tourism, according to newly released figures from the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC). In 2024 alone, visitors spent $245.9 million in the county—a 2.9% increase over 2023.

Tourism continues to play a major role in Spotsylvania’s economy, supporting 2,143 local jobs and generating $11.4 million in tourism-related taxes. County Administrator Ed Petrovitch credited the rise in visitor activity to both local attractions and ongoing efforts to market Spotsylvania as a regional destination.

“We’re excited to see tourism in Spotsylvania County continue to grow, with visitor spending increasing by 34.9% since 2019,” said Petrovitch. “The food and beverage sector led the way with the most significant gains, and we’ve seen healthy increases across all tourism spending categories. This upward trend clearly shows that Spotsylvania is becoming a more popular destination for travelers, and we will continue our efforts to ensure that our tourism industry thrives for years to come.”

Food, Lodging, and Recreation Lead the Way

Among all spending categories, Food & Beverage showed the most growth—up 5.3% in 2024 for a total of $75.2 million. Lodging rose by 2.2% to $51.9 million, and Recreation matched that growth rate with $30.7 million in visitor spending. Retail spending climbed 2% to $34.6 million, and Transportation grew more than 1%, capturing $53.4 million in 2024.

Record-Breaking Tourism Across Virginia

Statewide, Virginia’s tourism industry reached a record $35.1 billion in visitor spending in 2024—a 5.4% increase over the previous year. More than 44.7 million overnight visitors traveled to Virginia, surpassing pre-pandemic levels for the first time.

Travelers spent an average of $96 million per day across the Commonwealth, generating $2.5 billion in state and local tax revenue—savings that amount to $990 per household annually.

Virginia’s tourism sector also supported over 229,000 jobs in 2024, up nearly 5,000 from 2023. Although direct travel employment is approaching pre-pandemic levels, staffing shortages—particularly in lodging—continue to challenge growth.

“We are incredibly proud to see the continued momentum of Virginia’s tourism industry propelling us to new heights,” said Rita McClenny, President and CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation. “Through strategic marketing and close collaboration with statewide partners, VTC is driving new demand and encouraging longer stays across Virginia. From coast to cliff, our diverse destinations continue to captivate.”

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