Visitor-Related Revenues Hit Another Record As Visit Alexandria Introduces New CEO

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Visitor spending and revenue continue to hit to new records in Alexandria, according to data presented at Visit Alexandria's annual member meeting. The organization also introduced members to new president and CEO Todd O'Leary after Patricia Washington retired.

Visit Alexandria, the membership-based tourism organization tasked with promoting tourism in the city, has pointed to visitor-related revenues as a way to help ease the tax burden on residents and help fund local services. In fiscal year 2024 (ended on June 30, 2024), City of Alexandria sales, restaurant and lodging tax revenues reached a record $86 million.

Not only did revenues surpass pre-pandemic levels, but they have been growing year to year after dropping off during the pandemic in 2020. Those combined revenues totaled $76 million in fiscal year 2022 and $81 million in fiscal year 2023.

Overall, estimated spending in Alexandria by visitors from 50 or more miles away hit a record $941 million in 2023, according to the Commonwealth of Virginia's latest Economic Impact of Domestic Travel report. That was the highest level since 2019 before the pandemic, which was $867 million. That dropped to $445 million in 2020 and started recovery to $613 million in 2021 and $801 million in 2022.

Sales tax receipts represent the highest share of the revenue — $40.1 million in fiscal year 2024. That is slightly up from $39.4 million in fiscal year 2023. Sales tax revenues didn't fall during the pandemic but have been consistently growing in the last few years.

Restaurant tax receipts took a hit during the pandemic as dining restrictions shifted. While fiscal year 2020's revenue were down to $19.8 million, those revenues have grown to $31.6 million in fiscal year 2024.

Lodging tax revenues also suffered at the start of the pandemic, falling from $12.9 million to $8.7 million and $4.8 million from fiscal year 2019 to 2021. However, those revenues have more than recovered, reaching $14.9 million in fiscal year 2024. Visit Alexandria said the city had a 9.4 percent year-to-year revenue growth, surpassing 9.2 percent growth in D.C., 8.9 percent in Fairfax County and 8.1 percent in Arlington County.

Along with visitor spending and revenues, Visit Alexandria highlighted accolades it helped secure to promote the city as a national destination. Some of its recent rankings were Travel + Leisure's Best Cities in the U.S. list, Condé Nast Traveler's third best small city, Southern Living's The South's Best Cities list and Human Rights Campaign's 100 score for LGBTQ+ equality.

The tourism organization wrapped up the annual meeting by introducing members to O'Leary, who took over as president and CEO as of July 8. He replaced Patricia Washington, who announced in December plans to retire after more than a decade leading Visit Alexandria. O'Leary previously worked for Sonoma County Tourism, San Francisco Travel Association and Visit Milwaukee.

O'Leary provided an update on upcoming initiatives at Visit Alexandria to continue promoting visitation to the city. The organization will kick off a strategic planning effort to envision for the next five to 10 years, continue work to promote Alexandria as inclusive for people with disabilities, do a visitor profile study, expanding the neighborhoods program to spread tourism beyond Old Town and more.

Visit Alexandria is also looking at tourism opportunities to promote Alexandria during major regional events, including the presidential inauguration in January, WorldPride DC in May and June, and America's 250th birthday in 2026.