Visitor spending for the Eastern Shore of Virginia reached $247.9 million in 2023, a 6.7% increase over 2022.
Tourism-supported jobs in Accomack and Northampton County totaled more than 1,800, while local tourism-related taxes were almost $9.9 million.
Individually, Accomack counties total visitor expenditures were $179.6 million, an 8% increase over 2022.
Northampton County’s total visitor expenditures were $68.3 million, a 3.5% increase over 2022.
“Tourism is a vital industry on the Eastern Shore of Virginia and I know that the tourism commission is pleased with the continued growth of visitation to our unique region of Virginia,” said John Coker, chair of the Eastern Shore of Virginia Tourism Commission and a member of the Northampton County Board of Supervisors.
Travelers spent $91 million a day in Virginia in 2023, up from $83 million in 2022. Virginia visitors directly drove $2.4 billion in state and local tax revenue, an increase of 9% from $2.2 billion in 2022. Overnight visitation to Virginia increased by 1.4 million to 43.6 million visitors in 2023, up from 42.2 million in 2022, essentially reaching full recovery to pre-pandemic levels.
All five categories of visitor spending in the Commonwealth have now fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels and beyond.
Those categories include recreation, transportation, lodging, food and beverage, and retail.
Recreation was the fastest growing category in 2023, up 12% over 2022 and 24% beyond pre-pandemic levels, more than any other category, as travelers continue to show a strong preference for experiences.
Throughout 2023, Virginia’s visitor economy benefited from balanced hotel performance as business and group demand recovered strongly on weekdays against a backdrop of stable leisure demand during weekends.
Additionally, the Eastern Shore Tourism Commission has recently completed a new strategic plan for the Eastern Shore of Virginia.
The plan outlines a vision for responsible tourism growth that will build upon the positive economic impact highlighted in the report.
The plan, developed through a collaborative process involving local stakeholders and regional partners, identifies key strategies for attracting visitors, enhancing the visitor experience, and maximizing tourism’s benefits to the Eastern Shore economy.
By implementing this plan, the tourism commission aims to build on the positive trends highlighted in the report and create a more resilient and sustainable tourism industry for the Eastern Shore.
“I am incredibly proud to see this updated tourism plan and very excited to see it implemented,” said Robert Sabbatini, executive director of the Eastern Shore of Virginia Tourism Commission. “This plan could not have been accomplished without the collaborative efforts of so many people from both Accomack and Northampton counties. It will help the entire Eastern Shore for many years to come.”
The full plan is available at https://visitesva.com/industry/
Tourism on the Eastern Shore of Virginia is supported by the Eastern Shore of Virginia Tourism Commission.
The mission of the Eastern Shore of Virginia Tourism Commission is to attract visitors, stimulate economic development, and protect our region’s unspoiled ecosystems and local communities.
Visit visitesva.com for more information.
