Charlotte Just Hit $1.1 Billion in Tourism Revenue — Here’s Why It Matters More Than You Think

Charlotte just reached a major milestone: $1.1 billion in tourism revenue.
At first glance, that might sound like great news for hotels, restaurants, and event venues — but it impacts our local economy, jobs, and even your tax bill in ways most people don’t realize.

Let’s break down why this matters to every Mecklenburg County resident, homeowner, and future buyer.

Tourism Isn’t Just Hotels — It’s a Multi-Billion Dollar Economic Engine

Tourism in Charlotte isn’t just about weekend getaways — direct visitor spending tops $8 billion annually, with money flowing into local hotels, restaurants, entertainment districts, and Uptown businesses.

Even more impressive: one in every nine jobs in Charlotte is supported by hospitality or tourism — meaning over 10% of our workforce relies on visitors choosing Charlotte. Tourism spending supports jobs in hotels, food service, transportation, event hosting, and more.

This economic influx benefits everyone — even if you’re not directly in the tourism industry.

🎥 Watch: Why the $800M Bank of America Stadium Renovation Will Change Charlotte Forever

Below is our in-depth Realize Charlotte video that explains one of the biggest projects shaping Charlotte’s economic future — the $800 million renovation of Bank of America Stadium. 

Tourism Revenue Lowers Your Taxes

Here’s a stat most people don’t realize: tourism tax revenue saves every Mecklenburg County resident about $383 per year in taxes. That’s right — hotel and event tax dollars help fund county services so residents don’t have to shoulder the full burden through property taxes or fee increases.

Without this robust visitor economy, tax bills could be noticeably higher.

Major Events Are Economic Powerhouses

Charlotte has become a destination for major sporting events and entertainment, and that’s intentional.

The Charlotte Convention Center alone generated $143.6 million in revenue this year, a 56% increase year-over-year. And conventions, ACC championships, bowl games, and concerts aren’t just fun — they bring millions of visitor dollars into Charlotte’s economy.

These events fill hotel rooms. They fill restaurants. They fill Uptown streets with people spending money — which supports local jobs and keeps tax revenue flowing.

Why Bank of America Stadium Matters to Tourism

You may remember the conversation around the $800 million renovation of Bank of America Stadium — and if you saw our video above, this is where it comes full circle. This project isn’t just about new seats and upgraded video boards — it’s about maintaining Charlotte’s ability to attract large-scale events, NFL games, MLS matches, concerts, and other national attractions. Facilities like this drive tourism dollars — roughly $1.1 billion annually in economic impact — making big events possible in our city.

The renovation includes:

• Modernized fan amenities and technology
• Improved accessibility and fan experience
• Enhanced social and public spaces
• Updated infrastructure to attract future events

By investing in facilities like this, Charlotte isn’t just building cooler stadiums — it’s preserving economic engines that bring visitors, jobs, and tax dollars into the region.

What This Means for Real Estate in Charlotte

Tourism and events matter for real estate too:

• Job growth drives housing demand
• Attraction of high-profile events helps profile the city nationally
• Increased tax revenue supports infrastructure without overburdening homeowners
• Jobs connected to hospitality and entertainment keep more people moving to or staying in Charlotte

When a city invests in what brings people in — and makes locals proud — the long-term effect on housing demand and neighborhood vitality is real.

Final Thought

Tourism isn’t just a “nice-to-have” for Charlotte — it’s a major economic driver that supports jobs, lowers taxes for residents, fuels growth in Uptown and beyond, and strengthens our real estate market.

Want to stay informed on what’s shaping Charlotte’s economy and housing market? Follow us for weekly updates and insights that matter.

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