Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge announced that in 2025, a record $972.5 million was directly spent by visitors in Virginia’s Blue Ridge, a 5.3% increase over 2024.
In 2025, direct visitor spending generated $47.1 million in local tax revenue for the Cities of Roanoke and Salem and the Counties of Botetourt, Franklin and Roanoke. This resulted in an average tax savings of $366.85 per household in Virginia’s Blue Ridge.
“Tourism continues to be a powerful economic driver for Virginia’s Blue Ridge, and these record results demonstrate the significant value visitors bring to our communities,” said Landon Howard, President of Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge. “Visitor spending supports thousands of local jobs, generates millions in local tax revenue and helps ease the tax burden on residents. These record numbers also reflect the strength of our region’s tourism businesses and the continued impact of strategic efforts to bring more visitors to Virginia’s Blue Ridge.”…