Tourism Statistics

Economic Impact

Facts & Figures

Domestic Visitor Spending in Orange County, 2008

(Source: 2008 Economic Impact of Travel on North Carolina Counties, study by the U.S. Travel Association)

  • Visitor spending generated an economic impact of $152.22-million. This was a 3.2 percent increase over 2007.
  • Orange County ranked 24th in travel impact among North Carolina’s 100 counties.
  • More than 1,777 jobs in Orange County were directly attributable to travel and tourism
  • Travel generated a $29.93-million payroll in Orange County.
  • Tax revenues from travel to Orange County amounted to a total of $11.23-million ($8.09-million from the state and $3.14-million from the county). This represents an $87 tax saving to each county resident.

Tax Revenues From Tourism
YearVisitor
Spending*		Tax
Revenues*
2008$152.22$11.23
2007$147.55$10.85
2006$137.61$10.56
2005$127.20$9.98
2004$118.96$9.51
2003$115.27$9.28
2002$115.03$9.28
2001$108.51$8.88
2000$108.04$8.77
1995$83.58$6.05
1992$64.55$4.50
1990$55.66$3.17
*in millions
The Visitors Bureau opened in 1992.

Top 10 Orange County Attractions

(by reported attendance, 2008)

01. Kenan Memorial Stadium
02. Dean E. Smith Center
03. Triangle Sportsplex
04. Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
05. The ArtsCenter
06. North Carolina Botanical Garden
07. Memorial Hall (Carolina Performing Arts Series)
08. Carolina Basketball Museum
09. Ackland Art Museum
10. PlayMakers Repertory

Orange County Attractions, Welcome Centers and Tours

(total attendance, reported by 23 targeted venues)

2008—1,764,468
2007—1,689,657
2006—1,487,302
2005—1,340,538
2004—1,261,717
2003—1,369,318
2002—1,077,978
2001—1,164,489

Visitors Bureau Annual Report

Annual Report 2007-2008
Annual Report 2006-2007
Annual Report 2005-2006


Did You Know?

Tourism in Orange County provides sales to local businesses, tax dollars to municipal governments and employment for residents and more income tax revenues.