North Carolina Joins Texas, New Jersey and Nevada in a Record-Breaking US Tourism Surge—Labor Day 2025 Travel Craze You Can’t Miss

North Carolina joins Texas, New Jersey and Nevada in a record-breaking US tourism surge, and the Labor Day 2025 travel craze you can’t miss is already taking shape. The numbers show that North Carolina joins strong markets as tax revenues climb, visitor spending rises, and hotels fill fast.

In fact, Texas and New Jersey highlight growth with millions arriving for leisure and business, while Nevada proves its power through Las Vegas attractions and gaming. At the same time, North Carolina joins the ranks with mountains, beaches, and cities drawing families during peak holidays. This record-breaking momentum signals that US tourism surge is spreading across states.

Moreover, as Labor Day 2025 approaches, experts predict travel craze will reach new levels. North Carolina joins the list of states proving that local economies, small towns, and big cities alike gain when tourism expands, creating jobs, boosting tax receipts, and strengthening communities.

North Carolina tourism reached a record-breaking $36.7 billion in 2024. Local tax receipts climbed 4.3% to $1.3 billion. Seventy-one of the state’s 100 counties reported growth in visitor spending, showing resilience even after Hurricane Helene struck the mountains.

Visitor Spending Powers Local Growth

The state Commerce Department confirmed that visitor spending spread across most counties, with 71 out of 100 reporting increases. Cleveland, Burke and Iredell counties led with double-digit growth, proof of strong local demand. Stokes, Ashe, Union and Gaston joined them, showing how rural and urban destinations alike are winning. Such widespread growth highlights tourism’s strength as a driver of local economies.

Record Year for the State

North Carolina’s $36.7 billion total marked a new all-time high. Local tax revenues surged by $1.3 billion, up 4.3%. This money supports schools, hospitals, and community services. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley praised the performance, saying North Carolina has “something for everyone.” His remarks stressed resilience in the face of Hurricane Helene’s devastation.

Tourism Employment Expands

Tourism continues to create jobs. Stokes County led with an 8.8% increase in tourism employment, the highest in the state. Burke saw a 7.6% increase, placing it second. Union, Gaston, and Ashe also delivered strong employment growth. Mecklenburg County, home to Charlotte, remains the state’s powerhouse with nearly 38,000 jobs. Four more counties passed the 10,000 mark, proving tourism’s impact on the labour market.

Charlotte Leads in Traveler Expenditures

Mecklenburg County brought in $6.4 billion in visitor spending, up 9.1%. The city of Charlotte, with nearly 950,000 residents, remains a magnet for travellers. Wake County followed at $3.5 billion, rising 7.8%. Together, these two urban counties dominate tourism’s economic footprint. Both urban centres continue to benefit from conventions, business travel, and a growing culinary scene.

Asheville and Buncombe Face Hurricane Impact

Buncombe County, including Asheville, was devastated by Hurricane Helene in late September. Yet, Buncombe still reported $2.7 billion in traveler expenditures, ranking third statewide. The 10.6% decline shows how storms disrupt tourism-dependent economies. However, Asheville’s reputation as a mountain getaway means recovery is expected. The blow highlights the industry’s vulnerability to climate shocks even in otherwise strong years.

Coastal Counties Drive Tourism Strength

North Carolina’s coast remains a pillar of tourism. Dare County ranked fourth with $2.1 billion. Brunswick pulled in $1.2 billion at sixth place. New Hanover followed at $1.1 billion, landing eighth. The coastline’s beaches and barrier islands keep drawing visitors. Golf destination Moore County closed the top ten with $860 million, proving the sport’s steady tourism appeal.

Local Tax Benefits Spread Statewide

Tourism tax receipts reached $1.3 billion, a 4.3% increase. These funds reduce pressure on local taxpayers. Communities use them for schools, roads, and services that improve residents’ lives. In counties with big gains, such as Gaston or Burke, tourism dollars sustain local development. The broad spread of benefits supports the case for continued investment in attractions, marketing, and infrastructure.

A Resilient Industry With Growth Ahead

Despite setbacks, North Carolina’s tourism sector shows remarkable resilience. The combination of mountain retreats, coastal escapes, cultural centres, and golf destinations ensures balance. Secretary Lilley called tourism “resilient and enduring.” This resilience suggests recovery even after natural disasters. With Charlotte and Raleigh booming, and rural counties gaining strength, North Carolina tourism is poised for further growth in 2025.

Tourism is not just about holidays. It is also about money. In the United States, tourism brings in billions in taxes each year. These taxes go to states and local counties. They help build schools, roads, and hospitals. In 2024, many states reported record gains in tourism tax revenue. Some states showed growth even after storms and challenges. As the country prepares for the busy Labor Day holiday in 2025, expectations are high. More flights, lower prices, and steady demand mean states could see even more revenue from visitors. This article explains which states earned the most, how local taxes grew, and what to expect for the future.

California Leads with Billions in Tourism Taxes

California continues to shine as one of the largest tourism markets in the country. In 2024, the state earned about $12.6 billion in state and local taxes from visitor spending. This was a new record. Growth was driven by its big cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, as well as famous attractions like Disneyland and national parks. The money collected is vital. It supports local schools, transport, and parks. California’s tourism economy is so large that even a small rise in visitor spending creates huge gains for tax revenues.

But 2025 may not be as easy. Experts expect hotel rates to soften. Visitors may still come in large numbers, but they could spend less per night. Labor Day will be a test. Even with strong demand, California may see stable rather than rising revenues if hotels and restaurants cut prices. Still, the state is likely to remain a top tax earner.

New York Strong in State and Local Collections

New York is another tourism giant. In 2024, the state earned about $11.4 billion in state and local taxes. Of this, nearly $6.5 billion came from local taxes alone. This is one of the largest local totals in the country. New York City remains the biggest driver. With its global airports, museums, and Broadway shows, it continues to attract millions. High hotel rates and restaurant spending push up tax revenue.

New York’s success is also spread across counties. From Niagara Falls to Long Island, visitor spending supports local budgets. The strength of local taxes shows how important tourism is for communities outside the big city. For 2025, the outlook is positive. Cheaper flights and steady hotel bookings point to more visitors. Labor Day weekend is expected to be busy, with New York benefiting from both domestic and international travel.

Texas Sets New Records

Texas earned about $9.2 billion in state and local taxes from tourism in 2024. This was another record year. Cities such as Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio remain key drivers. Texas benefits from both business travel and leisure travel. Visitors attend conventions, concerts, and major sporting events. Natural attractions like Big Bend and Gulf Coast beaches add to the mix.

Tourism tax money in Texas helps counties fund transport and public services. With its growing population and business-friendly climate, the state is drawing more visitors every year. In 2025, the state expects more gains. Lower fuel prices and cheaper flights mean more families will travel over Labor Day. Texas is set to keep its place among the top states for tourism tax revenue.

Florida and the Power of Local Tourist Development Taxes

Florida is unique because tourism taxes are collected county by county. Local governments charge Tourist Development Taxes, often between 5% and 6%. This makes statewide totals harder to combine, but the numbers are still huge. In 2024, Central Florida alone, home to Orlando’s theme parks, earned about $6.7 billion in state and local taxes. Other counties such as Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach also collected billions.

Florida’s beaches and theme parks are always strong magnets for visitors. But weather is always a risk. Storms can disrupt travel plans and affect hotel bookings. Labor Day 2025 could see very high traffic, as Orlando and Miami are among the top holiday picks according to travel groups. If the weather is calm, Florida counties are expected to post strong local tax revenues.

Tennessee Builds on Growth

Tennessee has made strong gains in tourism. In 2024, the state earned about $3.3 billion in state and local taxes. Music cities like Nashville and Memphis are top attractions. Outdoor destinations like the Great Smoky Mountains also bring millions of visitors. Nashville alone reported $464 million in local tourism taxes. This shows how powerful one city can be in driving growth.

Tourism tax money in Tennessee funds local projects and eases the burden on residents. Labor Day 2025 is expected to be busy. Nashville’s events, live music, and festivals will attract visitors. Families will also travel to the state’s mountains and parks. With this mix, Tennessee is likely to see another rise in tax revenue.

Washington Expands its Tourism Tax Base

In 2024, Washington earned about $2.6 billion in state and local tourism taxes. Seattle was a big driver. Cruise ships, tech business travel, and natural attractions all supported growth. Visitor spending grew by over 4% year on year. Tourism provided a major boost to household savings, with visitor taxes lowering what residents would otherwise pay.

Labor Day 2025 looks bright for Washington. Seattle is ranked as one of the top holiday destinations for the season. Cheaper airfares will bring more families. This means hotels, restaurants, and attractions will stay busy. More visitors will also mean more local tax collections.

Massachusetts with Clear Local Tax Gains

Massachusetts is one of the few states that reports local and state tourism taxes separately. In 2024, state and local taxes together were $2.3 billion. Of this, the local hotel occupancy tax alone was $365 million. The state hotel tax added another $412 million. Boston drives much of this activity with its universities, history, and sports. Cape Cod and other coastal areas also attract strong holiday traffic.

The clear reporting in Massachusetts shows just how valuable local tourism taxes are. For Labor Day 2025, the outlook is strong. Flights to Boston are cheaper, and family demand for seaside trips is high. This means local tax collections from hotels and restaurants should climb.

North Carolina Resilient After Storms

North Carolina collected $1.3 billion in local tourism taxes in 2024. This was a 4.3% increase over the year before. Seventy-one of its 100 counties reported more visitor spending. This shows how broad tourism’s impact is. Charlotte and Raleigh are big city draws. The mountains and coast add to the state’s mix.

But the year was not easy. Hurricane Helene hit the mountains hard in late September. Buncombe County, home to Asheville, saw a sharp drop in visitor spending. Yet the state still set a record $36.7 billion in visitor spending. For 2025, resilience remains the key. The coast and cities are expected to perform well over Labor Day, while the mountains continue to recover.

Nevada and the Las Vegas Challenge

Nevada depends heavily on tourism, and especially Las Vegas. In 2024, Clark County collected $382.7 million in room taxes, a record. These taxes fund the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, which promotes the city worldwide. But forecasts suggest a possible 5% decline in coming years as hotel revenues soften.

For Labor Day 2025, the outlook is uncertain. Hotel rates may flatten. Events and concerts could lift demand, but overall revenues may be stable rather than rising. Local tax receipts will depend on how many last-minute travellers come to the Strip.

Hawaii and the Tourism Authority Tax

Hawaii collected about $762 million in state-level Transient Accommodations Tax in fiscal year 2024. Counties also add surcharges, which boost local budgets. Tourism is vital in Hawaii, supporting schools and transport. The islands face challenges from housing shortages and high costs, but visitors continue to arrive.

In the first quarter of fiscal 2025, tax collections were already up slightly. Strong demand for short-term rentals in Maui and O‘ahu suggests a good Labor Day ahead. Visitors will spend on hotels, food, and entertainment, and taxes will follow.

New Jersey Gains from Shore Traffic

New Jersey’s tourism industry earned $5.4 billion in state and local taxes in 2024. This was a new record. The Jersey Shore remains a major draw. Families from New York and Pennsylvania flock to the coast each summer. Household savings from tourism taxes were estimated at over $1,500 per family.

Labor Day 2025 is expected to bring strong numbers. Shore towns will be crowded if the weather is good. Local businesses and hotels will benefit, and counties will see solid tax receipts. The state’s position between two large metropolitan areas ensures a steady flow of visitors.

The Outlook for Labor Day 2025

Nationally, forecasts show that about 17.4 million people will fly over Labor Day 2025. This is a new record. Travel prices are lower than in 2024. This will encourage more families to travel. AAA also reports that hotels and car rentals are cheaper than last year. This mix points to high visitor numbers, even if average spending per person is lower.

For states like California, New York, and Florida, the holiday will likely boost local and state tax collections. For Nevada, revenues may be flat, but events could bring surprises. States like Tennessee, Washington, and Massachusetts are set for growth. The overall picture is positive. Tourism will continue to deliver billions in tax revenue.

Tourism is a vital economic driver for the United States. In 2024, states from California to New Jersey posted record collections. Local taxes provided support for communities across the country. Challenges remain, from storms to changing hotel revenues. But the resilience of tourism is clear. Labor Day 2025 is expected to bring record travel volumes. This means more spending, more jobs, and more local tax dollars. For states and counties, tourism remains a powerful tool for growth.

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