When visitors dine at Alexandria restaurants, stay in local hotels or shop along King Street, they’re helping fund essential municipal services through the taxes they pay.
Alexandria’s tourism industry generated $88 million in consumption tax revenue during fiscal year 2025, a $2 million increase from the previous year, as visitor spending reached $1 billion for the first time in the city’s history. These taxes on sales, meals and lodging from visitors traveling more than 50 miles to the city directly support core city services.
“$88 million in consumption taxes, you know, why is that important to me? Many of you understand that. But to the community, that means that we can fund more books in the library. That means that, you know, another teacher in the classroom. That means, you know, a little help to someone who’s experiencing being unhoused,” City Manager Jim Parajon said Thursday during Visit Alexandria’s annual meeting. “That means just a little bit more that we can do for our community.”…