Tourism growing in Spartanburg County

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Tourists spent more than $278 million in Spartanburg County resulting in a total economic impact of $307.8 million in fiscal year 2017-18. The Spartanburg Convention & Visitors Bureau commissioned a tourism report from Clemson University to measure the visitor economy.

Spartanburg County was a top 10 visitor destination in South Carolina, according to the report done by Bob Brookover, a senior lecturer in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management at Clemson.

The report shows tourism supported 6,677 jobs in Spartanburg County and local government received more than $17 million in taxes and fees from tourism, according to a news release. Spending by tourists in Spartanburg County also generated more than $55 million in revenue for South Carolina state government entities.

Brookover first measured the impact of tourism in Spartanburg in 2011 as part of the county’s Tourism Action Plan and Feasibility Study. The impact of tourism in FY2008-09 was $193.01 million, which supported 4,187 jobs.

“This report shows that tourism has emerged as an important growth industry in Spartanburg County,” said Allen Smith, president and CEO of the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce, in the release.  “With at least five new hotels under construction, and dozens of new restaurants opening this year, the visitor economy here is strong and makes Spartanburg County a must-visit destination in South Carolina.”