Raleigh, N.C. (Nov. 13, 2024) – The North Carolina Travel & Tourism Board of Directors appointed Dennis Edwards, President and CEO of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Raleigh), as its new chair during the November 13th meeting. Edwards will serve as chair effective January 2025. The North Carolina Travel & Tourism Board advocates the sound development of the travel and tourism industry in North Carolina. Created in 1991, the board advises the Secretary of Commerce on policy matters related to tourism promotion in North Carolina and works very closely with Visit North Carolina.

Edwards has served as President and CEO of Visit Raleigh since 2007, overseeing a staff of 35 people and an annual budget of $11.2 million. A 41-year CVB veteran, he was also recently named to the Business North Carolina “2024 Power List” as one of the state's most influential leaders in Hospitality and Tourism.

“It’s an honor to be appointed the new chair for the North Carolina Travel & Tourism Board,” said Edwards. “Tourism plays a vital role in the job market and economic development, not only in Wake County but throughout the entire state. I look forward to leading this board over the next two years and elevating awareness around the robust and resilient tourism infrastructure in North Carolina.”

Visit North Carolina noted that North Carolina set a record in visitor spending in 2023, rising 6.9 percent statewide to $35.6 billion. Visitor spending for both urban and rural counties grew in 2023, with 98 of North Carolina’s 100 counties seeing rises in spending compared to 2022. Orange, Wake, Camden and Warren were among the counties that led the state’s 6.9 percent growth in visitor spending. Direct tourism employment also increased by 4.8 percent to 227,000 statewide.

Wake County experienced a record 18.5 million visitors in 2023, spending $3.2 billion and generating $307 million in state and local tax revenues. Tourism in Wake County sustains 25,796 local jobs with a payroll of $890 million in 2023. One out of every 23 Wake County jobs is supported by visitation. In many cases, these visitors can make a difference, allowing small businesses to remain open.

For more information about the Travel & Tourism Board, visit partners.visitnc.com/travel-tourism-board.
 

About the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Raleigh):
As the official destination marketing organization for Wake County, Visit Raleigh is responsible for promoting Wake County as an attractive travel destination and enhancing its public image as a dynamic place to live and work. Through the impact of travel, the organization strengthens the industry and community's economic position and provides opportunities for people throughout Wake County. Raleigh, N.C./Wake County welcomes 18.5 million visitors annually, whose spending tops $3.2 billion. The visitor economy supports nearly 26,000 local jobs in Wake County and generates $307 million in state and local tax revenues, saving each Wake County household $712 in taxes annually. visitRaleigh.com

Media Contact:
Visit Raleigh
Jessica Holt
Director of Public Relations
919.645.2654
jholt@visitRaleigh.com

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