Virginia is for Lovers! Tourism Revenue Exceeded $20 Billion in 2011.

Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that visitors to Virginia generated $20.4 billion in revenue from tourism in 2011, an 8 percent increase over 2010. In 2011, tourism in Virginia supported 207,000 jobs, an increase of nearly 2 percent in employment, and provided more than $1.32 billion in state and local taxes. The Virginia Tourism Corporation receives its annual economic impact data from the U.S. Travel Association. The information is based on domestic visitor spending (travelers from within the United States) from per-person trips taken 50 miles or more away from home.

“These new figures highlight the importance of continuing to invest in tourism as an instant revenue generator for Virginia,” said Governor McDonnell. “Virginia’s tourism industry is bringing in more than $20 billion in revenue and providing more than 207,000 jobs for Virginians across the state. I’ve made tourism a key part of my administration’s economic development initiatives and it’s encouraging to see the positive return on investment.”