Delaware saw nine million visitors in 2016.
Those visitors contributed $3.3 billion to Delaware’s gross domestic product in 2016, according to data released from the Delaware Tourism Office.
“Tourism is a crucial part of Delaware’s economy,” said Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock. “The tourism industry has proven to be an important source of revenue for state and local governments and an industry of increasing growth.”
Tourism generated more than $504 million in taxes and fees for state and local governments in 2016. Without the revenue, each Delaware household would have to pay an additional $1,434 in taxes.
“Tourism is Delaware’s fourth largest private industry sector, employing almost 43,000 people,” said Linda Parkowski, acting director of the Division of Small Business, Development & Tourism. “As small business owners and entrepreneurs open new ventures or expand their existing businesses, the industry will continue to remain strong and move forward.”
The state tourism office stated that its “Endless Discoveries” campaign continues to raise awareness of Delaware as a vacation destination through a statewide travel guide, broadcast and print advertising, and the launch of the Delaware on Tap mobile application.
Nearby metros remain the biggest sources of visitation for Delaware with people from Philadelphia, Baltimore, New York and Washington, D.C., accounting for more than two-thirds of travelers to the state.
Beaches, dining and tax-free shopping continue to be popular activities for visitors, who spent an average of $384 per trip to the state in 2016.
The Delaware Tourism Office, 99 Kings Highway in Dover, Del., is a division of the Delaware Division of Small Business, Development & Tourism. The DTO promotes tourism and economic growth in Delaware. For more information, visit the official Delaware Tourism website at www.visitdelaware.com or call toll-free (866) 284-7483.
The tourism figures came from D.K. Shifflet & Associates and Rockport Analytics. For the 2016 Delaware tourism industry report, visit http://www.visitdelaware.com/industry/tourism-statistics.
