The Virginia Beach Convention & Visitor Bureau (VBCVB) posted record-breaking results in a study on economic impact of tourism.
The report details spending by Virginia Beach visitors in 2021, conducted by Tourism Economics.
Visitor spending was measured across categories including lodging ($582m), F&B ($885m), transportation ($219m), entertainment ($218m) and retail ($194m)
Overnight travelers accounted for double the total spend of day visitors.
Surpassing the $2 billion mark for the first time, last year’s visitor spending was up 38% and 8% over 2019’s pre-Covid level.
Despite a comparative dip in the number of visitors from that same year – 11.5 million versus 13.6 million, visitation is on the rise
It climbed 9.1% compared to 2020.
The overnight leisure segment leads the way with 2.88 million annual travelers, marking a 6.7% increase over 2019.
“Tourism has always been a leading contributor to our city’s economy,” said Nancy Helman, VBCVB director.
The $2.1 billion of spending directly by visitors created a total economic impact of $3.3 billion.
“Coastal amenities appeal to travelers in Virginia Beach, but it’s our hospitality that continues to lead the way,” added Helman.
