News Summary
The greater Charleston area has achieved a remarkable economic impact of over $14 billion from tourism, marking a 7.1% increase from last year. While tourist numbers have only risen modestly by 1.2% to approximately 7.89 million visitors, average spending per visitor surged to $1,105. The hospitality sector has also seen record employment numbers, highlighting tourism’s vital role in Charleston’s economy. Moving forward, officials aim to attract higher-value visitors while addressing the challenges of balancing tourism growth with local livability.
Charleston Tourism Hits Record $14 Billion Economic Impact in 2024
The greater Charleston area generated over $14 billion in economic impact from tourism in 2024, marking a 7.1% increase from the previous year. This impressive growth underscores the vitality of the tourism industry in the region, which plays a crucial role in the local economy.
Despite only a modest rise in the number of tourists, which increased by 1.2% to an estimated 7.89 million visitors, the average spending per visitor saw a significant increase. In 2024, the average expenditure rose to $1,105, compared to $1,048 in 2023, a jump of 5.5%.
Tourism is a major economic driver in Charleston, representing 23.5% of all sales in the region. The hospitality industry employed 54,900 locals in tourism-related roles, reaching the highest employment figures recorded to date. Tourism’s economic impact has soared by 32% since 2021, with visitor numbers rising by just 9%.
Hotel Industry Milestones
The hotel sector achieved a record 4,940,000 room nights sold in 2024, resulting in an average hotel occupancy rate of 70.6%. The average daily hotel rate also experienced a slight increase, rising to $186 from $185 in previous years.
Transportation to the area saw notable growth as well. Charleston International Airport recorded 6,290,000 passengers, signifying a considerable increase over the last year, highlighting the area’s appeal to both domestic and international tourists.
Visitor Demographics
Tourists hailed from various states, with major contributors including North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Virginia, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and New Jersey. Prominent cities from where visitors traveled included Charlotte, Atlanta, New York City, Raleigh, Orlando, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Greensboro.
Attractions and Activities
Charleston’s diverse attractions contribute to its robust tourism sector. Visitors flock to the city for its wealth of historical sites, renowned food and restaurants, shopping opportunities, beautiful beaches, and a variety of events. The combination of these elements creates a compelling travel destination that draws millions each year.
Looking Ahead
As the regional economy continues to thrive, Charleston officials are focused on attracting high-value visitors who tend to stay longer and spend more during their trips. In the coming year, the tourism sector anticipates the opening of new hotels and ongoing growth in tourism-related activities.
However, alongside this growth, there are discussions around maintaining livability for residents. In response to rising tourism pressures, Charleston is organizing a forum titled “The Future of Responsible Tourism.” This event aims to address management policies for the industry to ensure a balanced relationship between tourists and local communities.
As Charleston continues to evolve as a premier destination, the ongoing focus on responsible tourism practices may play a pivotal role in sustaining both the economic benefits of tourism and the quality of life for residents.
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Additional Resources
- Charleston City Paper
- ABC News 4
- Post and Courier
- Lonely Planet
- Travel and Tour World
- Wikipedia: Charleston, South Carolina
- Google Search: Charleston tourism 2024
- Google Scholar: Charleston tourism economic impact
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Charleston, South Carolina
- Google News: Charleston tourism 2024
Author: STAFF HERE CHARLESTON
The CHARLESTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREcharleston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Charleston, Charleston County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Spoleto Festival USA, Charleston Wine + Food Festival, and the MOJA Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Charleston Museum, plus leading businesses in tourism and maritime industries that power the local economy such as South Carolina Ports Authority and the Charleston Visitor Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREaiken.com, HEREbeaufort.com, HEREchapin.com, HEREcharleston.com, HEREclinton.com, HEREcolumbia.com, HEREgeorgetown.com, HEREgreenwood.com, HEREgreenville.com, HEREhiltonhead.com, HEREirmo.com, HEREmyrtlebeach.com, HEREnewberry.com, HERErockhill.com, HEREspartanburg.com, HEREaustin.com, HEREcollegestation.com, HEREdallas.com, HEREhouston.com, and HEREsanantonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
