Tourism Spending Grows in City

Tourists visiting Fredericksburg spent close to $142 million in Fredericksburg last year, according to a report from the Virginia Tourism Corporation. Spending by tourists in Fredericksburg increased from $130 million in 2009.

Officials from Fredericksburg's Department of Economic Development and Tourism say the numbers underscore the importance of tourism to the city's econmy.

"Fredericksburg's per capita benefit from tourism demonstrate its importance to the city's financial well being," said Director of Economic Development and Tourism Karen Hedelt in a press release announcing the numbers. "It's a very significant factor in our economy and we are encouraged at its continued growth."

Over the last five years, tourism spending in the city has grown from $122.8 million to its current level, and posted a 8.8 percent growth over 2009. This growth has boosted sales tax revenues generated from tourism at the state and local level. From 2006 through 2010, state sales tax receipts from tourism spending have grown from $5.5 million to 6.3 million, and increased 5.6 percent in 2009. At the local level, sales tax receipts from tourism spending has grown 6.1 percent over the last year, and growing from $5 million to $5.7 million between 2006 and 2010.

The number of jobs supported by this tourism spending has not grown as rapidly, though. Over the last five years, the number of jobs generated by tourism in the city has grown from 1,415 to 1,477. Last year the jobs only grew by .06 percent. Payroll expenditures for tourism business has also grown at less than half the rate of tourism spending, increasing 4.2 percent over last year from $25.1 million to $26.2 million.