Last Updated on August 14, 2015 9:40 am
This week data from Visit North Carolina was released showing visitor spending across the High Country, and the state, for 2013. For the state, 97 of the 100 counties saw increases in visitor spending. For a broad look at the state numbers and stats visit this article.
Ashe, Avery and Watauga all had increased visitor spending not only between 2012 and 2013, but every year since 2010. Below are statics for each of the three counties according to NCCommerce.com for 2013. These county-by-county travel economic impact statistics are prepared annually by the Research Department of the US Travel Association for the N.C. Department of Commerce.
Watauga County
- Domestic tourism in Watauga County generated an economic impact of $216.72 million in 2013. This was a 2.71 % change from 2012.
- In 2013, Watauga County ranked 18 in travel impact among North Carolina's 100 Counties.
- More than 2,520 jobs in Watauga County were directly attributable to travel and tourism.
- Travel generated a $46.45 million payroll in 2013.
- State and local tax revenues from travel to Watauga County amounted to $18.96 million. This represents a $359.83 tax saving to each county resident.
| Year | Revenues $(millions) |
Change from previous year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $216.72 | 2.71 % |
| 2012 | $211.00 | 6.80 % |
| 2011 | $197.56 | 4.11 % |
| 2010 | $189.77 | 5.86 % |
| 2009 | $179.27 | -5.53 % |
| 2008 | $189.76 | -0.73 % |
| 2007 | $191.15 | 6.70 % |
| 2006 | $179.14 | 9.18 % |
| 2005 | $164.08 | 3.10 % |
| 2004 | $159.14 | 4.95 % |
| 2003 | $151.64 | -2.78 % |
| 2002 | $155.98 | 6.17 % |
| 2001 | $146.92 | -2.89 % |
| 2000 | $151.29 | 5.33 % |
| 1999 | $143.64 | 10.30 % |
| 1998 | $130.23 | 7.92 % |
| 1997 | $120.67 | 1.79 % |
| 1996 | $118.55 | 5.12 % |
| 1995 | $112.78 | 8.79 % |
| 1994 | $103.67 | 6.42 % |
| 1993 | $97.42 | 6.53 % |
| 1992 | $91.45 | 8.87 % |
| 1991 | $84.00 | 2.46 % |
Ashe County
- Domestic tourism in Ashe County generated an economic impact of $47.71 million in 2013. This was a 2.50 % change from 2012.
- In 2013, Ashe County ranked 59 in travel impact among North Carolina's 100 Counties.
- More than 370 jobs in Ashe County were directly attributable to travel and tourism.
- Travel generated a $6.83 million payroll in 2013.
- State and local tax revenues from travel to Ashe County amounted to $4.93 million. This represents a $179.65 tax saving to each county resident.
| Year | Revenues $(millions) |
Change from previous year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $47.71 | 2.50 % |
| 2012 | $46.55 | 2.67 % |
| 2011 | $45.34 | 5.46 % |
| 2010 | $42.99 | 13.56 % |
| 2009 | $37.86 | -6.12 % |
| 2008 | $40.33 | 0.98 % |
| 2007 | $39.94 | 4.65 % |
| 2006 | $38.17 | 9.74 % |
| 2005 | $34.78 | 5.27 % |
| 2004 | $33.04 | 4.29 % |
| 2003 | $31.68 | -0.19 % |
| 2002 | $31.74 | 5.52 % |
| 2001 | $30.08 | 3.44 % |
| 2000 | $29.08 | 11.37 % |
| 1999 | $26.11 | 10.26 % |
| 1998 | $23.68 | 6.19 % |
| 1997 | $22.30 | 5.14 % |
| 1996 | $21.21 | 9.22 % |
| 1995 | $19.42 | 7.00 % |
| 1994 | $18.15 | 5.16 % |
| 1993 | $17.26 | 5.50 % |
| 1992 | $16.36 | 14.49 % |
| 1991 | $14.29 | 5.70 % |
Avery County
- Domestic tourism in Avery County generated an economic impact of $104.97 million in 2013. This was a 1.19 % change from 2012.
- In 2013, Avery County ranked 39 in travel impact among North Carolina's 100 Counties.
- More than 1,180 jobs in Avery County were directly attributable to travel and tourism.
- Travel generated a $23.32 million payroll in 2013.
- State and local tax revenues from travel to Avery County amounted to $9.73 million. This represents a $544.61 tax saving to each county resident.
| Year | Revenues $(millions) |
Change from previous year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $104.97 | 1.19 % |
| 2012 | $103.74 | 5.44 % |
| 2011 | $98.38 | 9.53 % |
| 2010 | $89.82 | 5.61 % |
| 2009 | $85.05 | -5.25 % |
| 2008 | $89.76 | -1.06 % |
| 2007 | $90.72 | 1.58 % |
| 2006 | $89.31 | 7.85 % |
| 2005 | $82.81 | 1.19 % |
| 2004 | $81.84 | 3.37 % |
| 2003 | $79.17 | 3.11 % |
| 2002 | $76.78 | 2.87 % |
| 2001 | $74.64 | -1.49 % |
| 2000 | $75.77 | 3.37 % |
| 1999 | $73.30 | 2.92 % |
| 1998 | $71.22 | 7.88 % |
| 1997 | $66.02 | 0.15 % |
| 1996 | $65.92 | 3.81 % |
| 1995 | $63.50 | 9.90 % |
| 1994 | $57.78 | 7.94 % |
| 1993 | $53.53 | 8.45 % |
| 1992 | $49.36 | 12.18 % |
| 1991 | $44.00 | 4.79 % |
