Visitors spent nearly $1 billion in Albemarle and Charlottesville in 2023

The agency charged with promoting tourism in Albemarle and Charlottesville has reported that visitors to both localities spent $956 million in 2023, up nearly six percent from the previous year. 

“From an internationally renowned wine scene, to outdoor recreation experiences, a wealth of culinary options, historic attractions, and a robust selection of lodging, visitors continue to choose our area to spend their coveted vacation time,” said Courtney Cacatian, the director of the Charlottesville-Albemarle Convention and Visitors Bureau. That agency is funded through a portion of the transient lodging tax in both localities and sent out a press release on September 10. 

The statewide data comes from the firm Tourism Economics which was commissioned by the Virginia Tourism Corporation to calculate the impact of people coming to the state and spending money. They found total spending of $33.3 billion in Virginia in 2023, up ten percent since 2022. 

Visitor spending in Albemarle County was measured at $551.3 million generating $26.3 million in tax revenue. Charlottesville had $405.9 million in visitor spending which translates to $20.8 million in tax revenue. That’s about three percent of the state’s total. 

Earlier this summer, the CACVB adopted a tourism master plan to try to further increase visitor spending. There are recommendations for improving outdoor recreation trails, improving transportation infrastructure, and encouraging more mid-week travel.  The latter includes trying to establish a convention center that could handle more than a thousand attendees. 

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