Raleigh, N.C. — North Carolina visitors spent a record amount in 2007 – more than $16.5 billion – Gov. Mike Easley announced Monday.

That was an increase of 7.2 percent from 2006 when visitors spent $15.4 billion.

Employment in the travel and tourism industry for 2007 also saw an increase of 2 percent compared with the previous year.

“From skiing in the winter to an endless variety of summer vacation opportunities, the many wonderful attractions in North Carolina make our state one of the nation’s top travel destinations,” Easley said in a press release. “Our aggressive efforts to promote tourism are paying off in good jobs and more recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike.”

The visitor spending figures were the preliminary results of an annual study of the travel industry in North Carolina conducted by the Travel Industry Association of America.

The study used tax revenue data to determine the overall economic impact of travel from both domestic and international sources.

Other highlights included:

• $1.3 billion in tax revenues paid by North Carolina visitors. State tax revenue totaled $815 million, while local taxes were $529 million from travel-related businesses,
• 190,000 North Carolinians employed in the travel and tourism industry, an increase of 3,700 jobs, or 2 percent from 2006,
• 36.9 percent increase in visitor spending in North Carolina since the start of 2001.

For more information about North Carolina’s tourism industry, contact the N.C. Commerce Department’s Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development at 919-733-4171 (1-800-VISITNC) or www.visitnc.com.