Greenville County, September 10, 2025
News Summary
Greenville County’s tourism sector generated an impressive economic impact of $2.5 billion in 2024, reflecting a 4% growth from the prior year and a remarkable 35% rebound from pre-pandemic levels. Visitor spending neared $2 billion, and hotel revenue surged by 15.5%. Local businesses benefitted significantly from events, particularly ‘Fall for Greenville’. While some businesses struggled with post-pandemic recovery and event-related challenges, the overall landscape remains optimistic with strategic enhancements and investments advancing community needs.
Greenville County’s Tourism Industry Generates Significant $2.5 Billion Economic Impact in 2024 Amid Mixed Business Experiences
Greenville County’s tourism industry had a remarkable economic impact of $2.5 billion in 2024, reflecting a 4% increase from the previous year. This figure highlights a substantial growth of 35% compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Visitor spending surged to almost $2 billion, demonstrating the ongoing recovery and growth of the tourism sector following the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hotel revenue in the county registered a notable 15.5% year-over-year increase, outpacing similar-sized cities in the Southeastern United States. In total, approximately 121,000 group hotel rooms were booked throughout 2024, showcasing heightened demand for accommodation.
This influx of tourists generated approximately $106 million in state tax revenue and $95 million in local tax revenue. These funds have significantly benefited the local community, saving over 200,000 households an average of $931 in taxes annually. The generated tax revenue is essential for supporting various local amenities and quality of life projects, including key infrastructures like the Bon Secours Wellness Arena and enhancing local parks.
Visitor Engagement and Economic Drivers
Notably, around 60% of tourists coordinated their visits around specific events, with “Fall for Greenville” emerging as the most prominent event boosting the local economy. Significant participation in such events highlights the role of community engagement in attracting visitors and supporting local businesses. Local businesses, including establishments like Old Skool Outfitter, experienced a boost due to the increased downtown tourism, driven in part by visitors from surrounding cities.
Challenges in the Tourism Landscape
Despite the overall growth in tourism, not all businesses reported positive outcomes. Some, like Greenville Glides— a Segway tour company—faced difficulties in recovering ridership levels post-pandemic. It was noted that events could have an adverse impact on certain businesses when streets are blocked or crowded, restricting access for some tour services.
Mike Bonasia from Hotel Hartness indicated that while downtown events can indirectly benefit hotel revenue, the logistics surrounding such events may pose challenges for specific businesses. Furthermore, the introduction of new commercial air routes by Breeze Airways has contributed to longer stays and increased spending among visitors, highlighting the connection between transit access and tourism growth.
Strategic Growth and Community Development
Greenville has implemented strategic enhancements to boost sales for group bookings, resulting in a 50% increase in these bookings compared to pre-COVID levels. This initiative signals a positive response to changing traveler patterns and an increasing focus on group-oriented tourism. Additionally, the city has started directing a portion of local tourism revenue toward affordable housing initiatives, addressing the needs of nearly 46,000 local households that face significant cost burdens.
The combination of robust visitor spending, strategic enhancements, and revenue allocation towards community needs paints a picture of a revitalized economy in Greenville County, illustrating the dual aspects of opportunity and challenge within the region’s tourism dynamics.
Conclusion
Greenville County’s tourism sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth in 2024, generating considerable economic impact for the local community. While certain businesses navigate ongoing challenges, the overall landscape remains promising, fueled by strategic investments, community events, and increased visitor engagement.
FAQs
What was the economic impact of Greenville County’s tourism in 2024?
The tourism industry generated an economic impact of $2.5 billion, marking a 4% increase from the previous year.
How much revenue was generated from hotel bookings?
Hotel revenue in Greenville County increased by 15.5% year-over-year, with around 121,000 group hotel rooms booked throughout 2024.
What tax revenue was generated from tourism?
The tourism sector generated $106 million in state tax revenue and $95 million in local tax revenue.
What challenges are some businesses facing in the tourism industry?
Some businesses, such as Segway tour companies, reported difficulties in recovering ridership levels post-pandemic and face challenges during events that may obstruct access to their services.
How is tourism revenue being used to support the community?
Local tourism revenue is being utilized to support amenities and projects aimed at improving the quality of life, including affordable housing initiatives for cost-burdened households.
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Additional Resources
- Greenville Journal: Greenville’s Tourism Industry Generates $2.5B Economic Impact in 2024
- WYFF4: Winners & Losers of Greenville County’s Tourism
- WNCT: Greenville-Pitt County CVB Grows Team to Enhance Tourism
- Fox Carolina: How Greenville is Using Tourism Taxes Towards Affordable Housing
- Dogster: Off-Leash Dog Parks in Greenville, SC
- Wikipedia: Tourism in the United States
- Google Search: Greenville tourism
- Google Scholar: Greenville economic impact tourism
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tourism
- Google News: Greenville SC tourism
Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE
The HERE Greenville Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenville community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenville Our team includes lifelong Greenville residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sales in the Heritage Historic District 17 , Greenville’s textile and railroad heritage 2 , and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Greenville Technical College programs) 27 . Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
