Last month, our team went to VisitGreenvilleSC’s annual #yeahTHATparty + learned about what they’ve been up to – and it’s a lot. While tourism in Greenville isn’t as large as our sister cities in Charleston + Asheville, it’s growing due to our vibrant downtown, delicious food, + growing arts scene, among other things that make Greenville great.
Tourism makes up a vital piece of our economic success puzzle. Luckily, VisitGreenvilleSC is a marketing machine. Their main responsibility is to get people fired up to visit, come back, and tell their friends. With five hotels opening their doors in 2019, GVL will bring online 271,000 net new rooms per year (13 additional hotels are under construction or in the planning stages for future years 2020-2022). To keep them filled, VisitGreenvilleSC gets people to head downtown to eat at over 110 restaurants, promotes attendance at Peace Center shows, drives shoppers to local boutiques, galleries, museums + more.
By the numbers:
- $1.3 billion. The direct spending in our community generated annually by visitors.
- 10,600. The number of jobs created by tourism in Greenville.
- $223. The amount the Greenville City/County earns in visitor spending for every dollar VisitGreenvilleSC invests in advertising.
- In 2018, weekday hotel occupancy was 70% (up from 61% in 2011) + weekend hotel occupancy was 74% (up from 59% in 2011).
- $5 million. Greenville’s PR value for the year 2018. Check out some highlights here.
- 234. The number of media stories in 2018 which featured Greenville (that VisitGreenvilleSC was behind).
- $895. The tax burden lifted each year in local + state taxes due to tourism.
Bonus must-watch videos: Mayor Knox White was recently awarded the 4th Annual Tommy Wyche Vision Award, given to organizations + individuals “that have given a lifetime of service to elevate Greenville as an extraordinary, inspiring, and welcoming destination”. The video is full of old school photos and is a four-minute modern GVL history lesson. Trust us. Check it out.
This recent TV spot showing off just how tasty our town is.
Remember, the next time you use #yeahTHATgreenville – in your own way you are helping to sell our remarkable destination. More visitors to the City and County of Greenville equals economic impact.
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