Convention groups and sporting events drive visitation during the second quarter of 2019.

Raleigh, N.C. (Aug. 13, 2019) – The Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Raleigh) has released the 2019 Wake County Tourism Industry Report for the second quarter of 2019. At the half-way mark in the year, all key performance indicators (KPIs) for the hospitality industry in Wake County are up year-to-date (YTD) over 2018. According to the Smith Travel Research through the second quarter Occupancy grew 5.8% YTD, Average Daily Rate (ADR) rose 2.4% YTD and Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) increased by 8.4% YTD. Wake County continues to outpace the state averages across all KPIs and outperforms the national average for occupancy YTD.

Wake County hospitality industry KPIs – according to the Smith Travel Research:
Second Quarter YTD (April 1, 2019 through June 30, 2019)

KPI

Wake County YTD

Wake County
% Change

YTD

State Average

YTD

National Average

YTD

Occupancy

73.7%

5.8%

66.2%

65.9%

Average Daily Rate (ADR)

$108.73

2.4%

$105.59

$131.20

Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR)

$80.17

8.4%

$69.95

$86.51

Hotel Room Night Supply

3.14 M

2.8%

0.5%

2%

Room Nights Sold

2.31 M

8.8%

5.6%

2.1%

Events Hosted in Q2 2019:
“The tourism and hospitality industry in Wake County continues to flourish through the first half of 2019 thanks in large part to a strong second quarter for conventions, sporting events and groups,” said Dennis Edwards, President and CEO of Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Raleigh).

During the second quarter of 2019 Visit Raleigh and the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance (GRSA) together hosted 111 conventions, sporting events and groups and welcomed nearly 135,000 attendees to Raleigh, N.C. A solid second quarter for conventions, sporting events and groups impacting overnight visitation was highlighted by numerous key groups including:

“From a music festival to various sports’ tournaments and industry conferences, the second quarter generated more than 62,000 hotel room-nights with these 100+ groups across the county. These convention groups and sporting events continue to drive people to our area and pave the way for another record year in visitation and tax collections,” said Edwards.

Hospitality Industry Tax Collections in Q2 2019:
As a result of increased visitation in the second quarter of 2019, YTD, through June 30, both hotel occupancy and prepared food and beverage tax collections increased. Hotel lodging tax collections totaled more than $15 million, up 10.5% YTD, and prepared food and beverage tax collections totaled nearly $15.8 million, up 6.7% YTD.

Tax Collections

YTD

% Change YTD

Hotel Occupancy

$15,037,407

10.5%

Prepared Food and Beverage

$15,843,787

6.7%

New Business Booked in Q2 2019:
During the second quarter of 2019, Visit Raleigh and GRSA combined booked 77 groups totaling almost 139,000 room-nights of future business. Visit Raleigh and GRSA’s collective future conventions, sporting events and group bookings in Wake County from this quarter will create a direct economic impact of $32.5 million. YTD Visit Raleigh and GRSA have booked 210 groups for more than 225,000 room-nights, creating a direct economic impact of $72.3 million.

Future meetings, conventions and sporting events booked during the second quarter include:

  • USA Archery Junior Olympic Archery Development National Target Championships: July 10-14, 2019; 1,700 attendees
  • North Carolina State Firefighters Association: August 2024-2029; 4,800 attendees each year
  • Techtextile North America: March 21-April 2, 2021; 3,000 attendees
  • Six Major Raleigh (Esports): August 12-18, 2019; 3,000 attendees

 

About the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Raleigh):
The Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Raleigh), as the official destination marketing organization of Raleigh and Wake County, accelerates sustainable economic growth and development by increasing visitor and convention business. Raleigh, N.C./Wake County welcomes more than 16 million visitors annually whose spending tops $2.5 billion. The visitor economy supports more than 26,170 local jobs in Wake County and generates more than $250 million in state and local tax revenues, saving each Wake County household $671 in taxes annually. VisitRaleigh.com.

About the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance (GRSA):
A division of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Raleigh) — the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance (GRSA) markets and promotes Raleigh and all of Wake County to generate and/or retain sports-related businesses (tournaments, championships, special events and meetings) to drive economic development. Raleigh, N.C./Wake County welcomes more than 16 million visitors annually whose spending tops $2.5 billion. The visitor economy supports more than 26,170 local jobs in Wake County and generates more than $250 million in state and local tax revenues, saving each Wake County household $671 in taxes annually. raleighsports.org.

Media Contact:
Jessica Holt
919.645.2654
jholt@visitRaleigh.com

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