Virginia Tourism Statistics

Visitors spent over $30 billion annually in Virginia.

• Direct visitor spending reached $35.1 billion in 2024, representing a 5.4% increase from 2023.
• Pre-pandemic spending stood at $29.1 billion in 2019.
• Direct visitor spending dropped to $17.5 billion in 2020, down 39.9% from 2019.
• Spending rebounded to $25.2 billion in 2021, a 44.0% surge from the pandemic-impacted 2020 figure.
• Direct spending reached $30.3 billion in 2022, marking a 20.3% increase from 2021.
• Visitor spending totaled $33.3 billion in 2023, up 9.9% from the previous year.

How much did visitors spend in 2024?

• Visitors generated $35.1 billion in direct spending in Virginia in 2024.
• The 2024 figure represented a 5.4% increase from 2023 and a 20.6% increase compared to pre-pandemic 2019 levels.

How much did visitors spend in 2023?

• Tourism spending in Virginia reached $33.3 billion in 2023, marking a nearly 10% increase from the previous year and setting a new record at that time.
• The 2023 figure represented approximately 114.4% of the pre-pandemic 2019 spending level of $29.1 billion.

Visitor Spending Breakdown

• Transportation represented the largest share of visitor spending at Virginia at $10.44 billion (29.7%).
• Food and Beverage followed closely with $9.94 billion (28.3%).
• Lodging accounted for $6.62 billion (18.8%), while Recreation and Retail made up $4.56 billion (13%) and $3.57 billion (10.2%), respectively.

How much do visitors spend across different regions of Virginia?

• In 2024, visitor spending was highest in Loudoun County at $4.93 billion.
• It was followed by Arlington County at $4.76 billion and Fairfax County at $3.92 billion.
• Visitors at Virginia Beach City spent $2.55 billion.
• Henrico County rounded out the top 5 regions with $1.92 billion in visitor spending.

How much does it cost to visit Virginia?

The cost of visiting Virginia varies considerably based on destination, travel style, and season, with the Commonwealth offering options for all budget levels.

• Based on total spending divided by total visitation, the average visitor to Virginia spent approximately $306 per trip in 2024, though this varies between day-trippers and overnight visitors.
• Transportation expenses constitute the largest single spending category at 30% of visitor budgets in 2024, including fuel, rental cars, tolls, and public transit.

The vast majority of Virginia’s tourism economy is powered by domestic travelers, with international visitors comprising a small but valuable high-spending segment.

• Domestic travelers accounted for approximately 99.2% of Virginia’s visitor volume in 2024 (113.62 million), benefiting from the state’s location within a day’s drive of nearly half the U.S. population.
• International visitors represented only 0.8% of tourism demand in 2024, with only approximately 920,000 visitors.

Length of stay varies by region and trip purpose, with data suggesting a positive trend toward longer visits in recent years.

• The average length of stay in Virginia Beach was approximately four nights for overnight visitors according to a 2022 study.

• Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) represented the largest segment at 49.3% of overnight visitors in 2024, making it the dominant travel purpose across the Commonwealth.
• Touring accounted for 9.9%, attracting travelers exploring multiple destinations and attractions.
• Special Events drew 6.9%, including festivals, concerts, and seasonal celebrations.
• Outdoor Activities motivated 5.8%, with travelers seeking hiking, camping, and nature-based experiences.
• Business trips (excluding Business-Leisure travel) accounted for 5.3%.
• City trips represented 5%.
• Resort stays comprised 5%, primarily to coastal and mountain resort destinations.
• Remaining segments including Business-Leisure trips, Cruises, Casino visits, Theme Parks, and Conferences/Conventions each represented below 4%.

• Virginia Beach: Virginia Beach draws the highest volume of visitors. In 2024, the coastal city welcomed 14.3 million visitors. Its 35 miles of coastline, boardwalk, and variety of outdoor and entertainment activities make it a leading tourism driver for the state.
• Virginia State Parks (Park System): As a collective system, Virginia’s state parks are a major draw for tourists. In 2024, the park system welcomed more than 8 million visitors, a 9% increase over the previous year.
• Arlington National Cemetery: As a single site, this hallowed ground is one of Virginia’s most visited locations, welcoming more than three million people annually. Visitors come to pay their respects, explore the grounds, and witness ceremonies like the Changing of the Guard.
• Shenandoah National Park: This is one of the premier natural attractions on the East Coast. In 2024, Shenandoah National Park saw 1.7 million visitors, an increase from the 1.5 million who visited in 2023.
• George Washington’s Mount Vernon: Recognized as America’s most popular historic estate, Mount Vernon welcomes an average of one million visitors each year.