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Visitor Spending
Visitors to Wake County pour more than $1 billion annually into the local economy, according to the Travel Industry Association of America's (TIA).
| Year | Visitor Spending (billion) | Tax Revenues (million) |
| 2006 | $1.337 | $103.5 |
| 2005 | $1.219 | $95.5 |
| 2004 | $1.14 | $90.7 |
| 2003 | $1.082 | $87.0 |
| 2002 | $1.079 | $85.7 |
| 2001 | $1.146 | $99.7 |
| 2000 | $1.167 | $100.4 |
| 1999 | $1.087 | $94.2 |
| 1998 | $1.021 | $74.7 |
Top 5 NC Counties in Visitor Spending
- Mecklenburg
- Wake
- Guilford
- Dare
- Buncombe
The 2006 tax revenues generated $366 in total savings per local household in state and local taxes. Visitors to Wake County actually save residents taxes by generating tax revenues through their local spending that can be used for education, school construction, water, sewer and other necessities. If these tax revenues were not generated by visitors, the local taxpayers would need to provide the revenue if the level of service and amenities Wake County has were to be maintained.
The word "visitor" represents more than just tourists. In addition to tourists, it includes business travelers, convention delegates, day-trippers, families on a weekend getaway, and people visiting Wake County specifically for reasons ranging from shopping and dining, to cultural events and sporting events – just to name a few.
Economic Impact of Meetings and Conventions
| Year | Meetings | Attendees | Economic Impact (millions) |
| 2006 | 10,351 | 600,375 | $347.6 |
| 2005 | 10,071 | 584,156 | $338.2 |
| 2004 | 9,982 | 578,958 | $335.9 |
| 2003 | 9,381 | 544,098 | $315.7 |
| 2002 | 9,428 | 546,834 | $315.9 |
| 2001 | 9,221 | 534,818 | $309.0 |
| 2000 | 9,608 | 557,264 | $322.0 |
| 1999 | 9,920 | 575,360 | $332.4 |
| 1998 | 8,675 | 503,137 | $290.6 |
| 1997 | 7,630 | 442,540 | $255.6 |
| 1996 | 7,145 | 414,410 | $239.4 |
| 1995 | 6,751 | 391,558 | $226.2 |
| 1994 | 6,538 | 379,204 | $219.1 |
* Economic Impact in Wake County is the amount of money spent within the community and is based on a formula developed and updated by Destination Marketing Association International.
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