Visitors account for 12.5% of regional spending, officials say.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — More than 33 million people visit the Charlotte region every year, and more than half come to see friends and family, according to the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA).
With the holiday season in full swing, the Queen City is expected to get busier as out-of-town guests arrive, bringing a significant economic boost to local businesses.
At Light the Knights, a winter wonderland in Uptown that opened this week, visitors from across the country are enjoying ice skating, snow tubing and festive treats.
“Our nephews get to play hockey at Truist Field, which is very cool and not something you get to do all the time, plus there’s the Christmas festival there too,” Annie LaRocque, who is visiting from Indiana, said.
As Charlotte grows, so does the number of holiday visitors. Matthew Holm came with his family, who drove from Massachusetts specifically to experience the city’s sports venues and attractions.
“I like football and the Panthers stadium is nice and the Hornets,” Holm said.
Mary Ellen Hemann traveled from Ohio, where 5 inches of snow blanketed the ground, to visit family in Charlotte.
“We are visiting a son, daughter-in-law and three grandchildren playing hockey,” Hemann said.
The CRVA reports that 54% of all visitors to the region come to see friends and family. When those visitors arrive, they contribute significantly to the local economy.
Last year, CRVA found that for every $100 spent in the region, $12.50 came from visitors. That money quickly fuels local shops, restaurants and hotels.
“Instead of hitting up the big box stores, we have gone to the local shops for our pastries and coffees and lunches,” LaRocque said.
The economic impact adds to the holiday magic that makes Charlotte an attractive destination.
“Charlotte has a lot of history, and it is a young, vibrant city,” Hemann said. “We like it.”
Light the Knights runs through Jan. 4. For more details and ticket information, click here.
Contact Jesse Pierre at jpierrepet@wcnc.com or follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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