Top Takeaway:
The tourism industry is critical to our local economy, and the Cabarrus County CVB hosts an annual gathering of local and state elected officials as an opportunity to communicate why.

June 27, 2024

On May 26, the Cabarrus County Convention & Visitors Bureau closed out National Travel & Tourism Week by showcasing the importance of tourism during their annual Legislative Reception.

Held prior to the 65th running of the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, the reception was co-hosted with Senator Paul Newton for the third year and provided the opportunity for the CCCVB and its Board of Directors, along with other hospitality leaders, to connect with elected officials and highlight the significant contributions of the tourism industry in Cabarrus County.

“National Travel & Tourism Week is a time to celebrate the positive effect travel has on the economy, our communities, and our well-being,” said Cabarrus County CVB President and CEO Donna Carpenter. “It’s fitting to mark this occasion as visitors from across the globe descend on our destination. There’s no better setting to illustrate just how important the hospitality industry is to Cabarrus County.”

The latest data shared by Visit North Carolina shows that in 2022, the travel and tourism industry directly employed more than 4,410 people in Cabarrus County, total payroll generated by the tourism industry in Cabarrus was $157.8 million, and state and local tax revenues totaled $37.7 million from travel to Cabarrus. Domestic and international visitors to and within Cabarrus County spent $566.74 million in 2022, an increase of 17.9 percent from 2021, making Cabarrus County’s the ninth highest visitor spending growth rate in the state.

“The Cabarrus County CVB provides invaluable services to our community starting with introducing and welcoming visitors to our area,” said Senator Newton. “Travel and tourism contributes significantly to our local economy and generates needed tax revenue that benefits everyone living in Cabarrus County.”

Organized through partnerships with the North Carolina Travel Industry Association (NCTIA), NC Tourism Coalition and Charlotte Motor Speedway, the reception took place as fans from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, plus 14 foreign countries including Australia, Tanzania and the Czech Republic visited Cabarrus County for the Memorial Day Weekend event. This year marked the third consecutive sellout for the Coca-Cola 600.

“In addition to meaningful engagement with Cabarrus County’s visitors, it’s important for our hospitality community to connect with groups such as our local and state officials to convey the power of travel,” said Greg Walter, chair of the Cabarrus County CVB Board of Directors and President of Charlotte Motor Speedway. “As the destination grows, tourism continues to positively impact Cabarrus County and sharing that story is essential to fostering an industry that will thrive for years to come.”

The statistics above come from the “Economic Impact of Travel on North Carolina Counties 2022,” which can be accessed at partners.visitnc.com/economic-impact-studies. The study was prepared for Visit North Carolina by Tourism Economics in collaboration with the U.S. Travel Association.

Learn more about the Economic Impact of tourism in Cabarrus County.