News Summary
Spartanburg, South Carolina, is witnessing a tourism boom, contributing $29 billion annually to the state’s economy, with a 65% growth over the past decade. With tourism supporting 10% of jobs in the region, tax revenues have increased significantly, benefiting South Carolinians. Families are exploring scenic parks and historic sites, while marketing campaigns attract millions of visitors. Sports tourism is also thriving, with events generating $112 million yearly. The future looks bright for South Carolina’s tourism, especially with a rise in outdoor recreation and travel enthusiasm.
Spartanburg: A Tourism Boom for South Carolina
In the heart of Spartanburg, it’s hard not to feel the buzz of excitement coming from South Carolina’s thriving tourism sector. Over the past decade, this vibrant industry has skyrocketed by an impressive 65%, transforming into a powerful economic engine that now contributes a staggering $29 billion annually to the state’s economy!
A Job Creator
With tourism now supporting about 10% of jobs in South Carolina, it’s clear that the impact stretches far beyond just visitors enjoying the sights. The sheer scale of this growth has resulted in nearly $2 billion generated in state and local taxes each year, which helps to lighten the tax burden homeowners feel, making it almost $1,000 less per South Carolinian.
The Power of Personal Connections
The secret sauce to this boom? South Carolina’s breathtaking natural beauty! Duane Parrish, the director of the state Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, recently emphasized the enduring importance of personal interactions. While technology has taken leaps and bounds, nothing can replace the memories created through shared experiences, especially for families. A growing trend called “skip-gen” travel, where grandparents take their grandkids on adventures, is proving to be a crowd-favorite.
Exploring With Family
Many families are choosing to explore places like Columbia’s Sesquicentennial State Park and the historic Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site. These locations offer not just scenic views but also hands-on learning experiences that create cherished family memories.
Marketing Efforts Highlight the Best of SC
The South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism has been working hard to keep the momentum going by reappointing 9Rooftops as its Marketing and Advertising Agency of Record. Their efforts have spearheaded the “Discover South Carolina” campaign, successfully drawing in over 6.5 million trips to lesser-known gems of the state, resulting in an impressive $2.05 billion in projected hotel revenue.
A Flourishing Future
With a growth spurt of $4.5 billion in economic impact over the past five years, South Carolina’s tourism industry is certainly on the rise. The stats are hard to ignore—DiscoverSouthCarolina.com even stands out as the top tourism website in the country!
Sports Tourism Takes Center Stage
Meanwhile, sports tourism is also thriving! It makes up 10% of the global tourism market and is expected to grow by 18% over the next six years. Major events like the Bassmaster Classic at Lake Hartwell and NASCAR races at the iconic Darlington Raceway draw huge crowds, adding over $112 million to the economy yearly.
Visitor Numbers are Soaring
In 2022 alone, Columbia welcomed a whopping 15.8 million visitors, generating around $2.6 billion for the local economy. What a great time for the city! The enthusiasm surrounding tourism is echoed by Governor McMaster, who has aptly designated May 19 – 25 as South Carolina Travel and Tourism Week to recognize its significance.
Outdoor Recreation Gaining Traction
Since the pandemic, outdoor recreation has captured people’s hearts, fueling even more growth. With air travel seeing a 10% increase in 2023 and a 17% rise in tax collections for the first part of the fiscal year, the signs paint a promising picture for the upcoming summer tourism season. Stable gas prices and lower inflation make a wonderful combination for travelers eager to explore all South Carolina has to offer.
As the tourism sector continues to grow and evolve, it’s clear that visitors and residents alike have many adventures ahead in this warm and welcoming state!
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Upstate Business Journal
- Wikipedia: Tourism in South Carolina
- Spectrum Local News
- Google Search: South Carolina tourism industry
- Business Wire
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tourism
- SC Daily Gazette
- Google News: South Carolina tourism 2025
