Tourist spending in Henrico approaches $1.9B
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Tourist spending in Henrico County last year approached $1.9 billion – the highest total of any Central Virginia locality and the fifth-highest total of any locality in the state, according to data from the Virginia Tourism Corporation.
The data shows that tourists spent 9.2% more in Henrico in 2023 than they did in 2022. The growth in Henrico is comparable to the statewide growth of 9.8%, which led to $33.3 billion in visitor spending statewide in 2023.
“Tourism and specifically sports tourism represent a major growth industry for Henrico County as well as our region and commonwealth,” County Manager John Vithoulkas said. “Visitor spending supports our restaurants, hotels and other businesses as well as employment, and it helps to fund services that enhance our high quality of life. The growth that we’ve seen in this economic development sector is no accident. It’s a direct result of the vision of our Board of Supervisors and strategic investments in first-class athletic fields and facilities, including those at RF&P, Dorey and Glover parks and the new Henrico Sports and Events Center.”
The new center has already attracted major tournaments and sporting events, helping generate nearly $72.4 million in sports tourism-related economic activity in the county last year.
More growth in that sector is expected, with the construction of a championship pickleball complex at Pouncey Tract Park that’s expected to open in October, the newly acquired Scott Road Outdoor Athletic Complex, a second phase of improvements to Glover Park in Glen Allen, a renovation of the county-owned Crossings Golf Course and the addition of a 1,000-seat mezzanine at the NOVA Aquatics Center at Regency.
Tourism in Henrico supported nearly 10,500 jobs with a combined payroll income of $610 million in 2023, according to county officials. It also generated tax receipts of more than $81 million for the county and $45 million for the state.
Only Loudoun, Arlington and Fairfax counties and the city of Virginia Beach witnessed more visitor spending than Henrico last year, according to the data.
