Tourism Statistics

Economic Impact

Facts & Figures

Domestic Visitor Spending in Orange County, 2006

(Source: 2006 Economic Impact of Travel on North Carolina Counties, study by the Travel Industry Association of America)

  • Visitor spending generated an economic impact of $137.6-million. This was a 8.2 percent increase over 2004.
  • Orange County ranked 24th in travel impact among North Carolina’s 100 counties.
  • More than 1,710 jobs in Orange County were directly attributable to travel and tourism
  • Travel generated a $27.62-million payroll in Orange County.
  • Tax revenues from travel to Orange County amounted to a total of $10.56-million ($7.68-million from the state and $2.88-million from the county). This represents an $85 tax saving to each county resident.


(The Visitors Bureau opened in 1992)

Top 10 Orange County Attractions

(by reported attendance, 2007)

01. Kenan Memorial Stadium
02. Dean E. Smith Center
03. Triangle Sportsplex
04. Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
05. North Carolina Botanical Garden
06. Memorial Hall (Carolina Performing Arts Series)
07. The ArtsCenter
08. Playmakers Repertory Company
09. Ackland Art Museum
10. Kidzu Children’s Museum

Orange County Attractions, Welcome Center and Tours
(total attendance, reported by 23 targeted venues)

2007—1,689,657
2006—1,487,302
2005—1,340,538
2004—1,261,717
2003—1,369,318
2002—1,077,978
2001—1,164,489

Visitors Bureau Annual Report

Annual Report 2005-2006
Annual Report 2006-2007


Did You Know?

Tourism in Orange County provides sales to local businesses, tax dollars to municipal governments and employment for residents and more income tax revenues.