Arlington’s visitors spent $4.5 billion in the county last year according to a new study, eclipsing a pre-pandemic record by nearly $100 million.
The county’s 7.1 million visitors in 2023 spent record-breaking sums on transportation, food and drink, hospitality, recreation and retail, according to a study conducted by economic forecaster Tourism Economics.
Tourism dollars supported nearly 27,600 jobs and ultimately created $341 million in state and local tax revenues, the study found.
When considering the disruption to travel habits caused by the pandemic, the record spending is “a great accomplishment” and “a bright sign for the future,” County Board Chair Libby Garvey said in a statement.
The economic study cited “greater consumer confidence” and traveler preferences to return to urban areas as cause for the increased visitor numbers. The Arlington Convention and Visitors’ Service’s new “All in Arlington” branding also received a hat tip by the study, which credited the campaign and other tourism promotion efforts for inspiring nearly 82,000 visitors.
Some increase in spending, though, could be attributed to inflation.
Since 2019, the consumer price index for all urban consumers in the D.C. area has risen, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The number, which accounts for prices in “consumer goods and services,” increased nearly 18% from the start of 2019 through the end of 2023.
More on the new tourism spending record, below, from a county press release.
Arlington welcomed 7.1 million visitors in 2023, according to a study released today by the Arlington Convention and Visitors Service (ACVS). Prepared by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics Company, the study shows that these visitors spent a record $4.5 billion in Arlington County on transportation, food and beverage, lodging, recreation and retail. The visitors’ total economic impact supported nearly 27,600 jobs and generated $341 million in state and local tax revenues.
Tourism Economics cites greater consumer confidence combined with traveler preferences to return to urban areas as two key reasons for an additional 600,000 Arlington visitors over 2022. Although visitation to Arlington hasn’t yet reached the 2019 level of 8 million people, visitor- and travel-related spending in the County surpassed pre-COVID levels by nearly $90 million.
“This study marks a major turning point for Arlington and its hospitality businesses,” said Arlington County Board Chair Libby Garvey. “Reaching record visitor spending after the challenges of the pandemic is a great accomplishment and a bright sign for the future,” she said. “These visitors to Arlington generated nearly $242 million in local tax revenues that will improve our community and residents’ quality of life.”
“These 2023 results highlight the strength and resilience of Arlington’s tourism businesses,” said Arlington Chamber President & CEO Kate Bates. “Arlington’s hospitality and hotel economy was one of the hardest hit in Virginia during the pandemic, so we are thrilled that growing visitation and record spending are helping Arlington businesses to fully recover and thrive.”
The Tourism Economics study also analyzed the economic value generated in 2023 by ACVS group sales and leisure marketing initiatives. These activities, including the launch of the new “All in Arlington” tourism brand, website and media campaign in August 2023, are credited with drawing nearly 82,000 visitors who spent $29 million in Arlington. These and other sales and marketing efforts were funded through a $3.25 million Virginia Tourism Corporation American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant ACVS received in February 2022 to drive overnight hotel stays and spending in Arlington. This grant ended in June 2024.
“The work of the ACVS team is critical in promoting Arlington — not just as an attractive travel destination, but also as a dynamic place to live and work,” said Arlington Economic Development Director Ryan Touhill. “Showcasing Arlington’s arts and cultural experiences, historic discoveries and other assets to travelers, meeting professionals and our wider business-investment audiences strengthens our overall economic development strategy.”
The Arlington Convention and Visitors Service is a division of Arlington Economic Development.
