Alexandria, VA, September 27, 2025
News Summary
Alexandria, VA, has reached a historic milestone of $1 billion in visitor spending, marking an 8% increase from the previous year. This strong recovery highlights the booming tourism sector post-pandemic, generating significant tax revenue and job support, with over 5,700 jobs linked to the industry. The success is a result of effective marketing and community involvement, solidifying Alexandria’s standing as a prominent tourist destination.
Alexandria, VA
Alexandria reaches historic $1 billion in visitor spending
In 2024, Alexandria, VA, reached a historic milestone of $1 billion in visitor spending for the first time. This total reflects an 8 percent increase in tourism spending compared with the prior year and marks strong recovery and growth after pandemic declines.
This achievement represents an 8% increase from the previous year’s spending of $941 million. The increase follows a period of decreased activity in 2020 and underscores a rebound in travel and local commerce.
Key fiscal and economic impacts
The visitor spending marked a significant recovery from pandemic lows of $445 million in 2020. The surge in visitor dollars generated measurable tax revenue and job support across the city.
The surge in tourism generated $88 million in consumption tax revenues for the city in fiscal year 2025. This consumption tax revenue surpassed the previous year’s total of $86 million, supporting core city services and saving the average Alexandria household $832 per year. City officials have directed these revenues to help fund essential services and to reduce the per-household cost burden.
The tourism industry in Alexandria supports over 5,700 jobs. Employment tied to hospitality, retail, attractions, and related services contributed to the broader local economy as visitor numbers climbed.
Drivers of the tourism increase
Alexandria’s tourism success is attributed to strategic marketing, community involvement, and its rich cultural and historical offerings. A combination of promotional campaigns, local engagement, and preserved heritage sites helped attract a wider range of visitors.
Visit Alexandria, the city’s tourism organization, announced these figures during their annual meeting. The organization also highlighted specific program results and future planning designed to sustain growth.
The city’s strategic marketing efforts generated over 200 million digital impressions, resulting in approximately 640,000 referrals to local businesses’ websites. Those digital referrals directed prospective visitors to restaurants, hotels, museums, tours, and retail operations across the city.
Visit Alexandria secured over 1,000 media stories, raising the city’s profile and increasing visitor interest. Media coverage at regional and national levels amplified awareness of Alexandria’s offerings.
Recognition and positioning
Alexandria earned significant national recognition, ranking No. 5 on Travel + Leisure’s “Best U.S. Cities” list in 2025. The city was named one of Condé Nast Traveler’s “Best Small Cities in the U.S.” for the seventh consecutive year. Those honors contributed to elevated visibility and likely supported visitation increases.
The tourism increase positions Alexandria as a major player alongside cities like Houston, Las Vegas, Chicago, Orlando, and Washington, D.C. The city’s growing visitor economy places it in company with large, well-known destinations on measures of visitor spending and recognition.
Planning and future targets
The organization unveiled a comprehensive five-year strategic plan focused on sales and marketing, destination management, destination alignment, and organizational sustainability. That plan lays out priorities for balancing growth with preservation and service quality.
Future targets include maintaining visitor spending above $1 billion by fiscal year 2027 and achieving consumption tax revenues of over $100 million by fiscal year 2029. These benchmarks set numeric goals for continued economic contribution from tourism.
Alexandria plans to develop its first tourism master plan, enhance visitor experiences, and provide hospitality training for 200 frontline employees by the end of fiscal year 2028. Those initiatives are intended to improve visitor services, coordinate long-term management, and build workforce capacity.
Context and comparisons
Overall, Alexandria’s rebound is notable when compared with pre-pandemic and surrounding-region trends. An increase from $445 million in 2020 to $1 billion in 2024 demonstrates the pace of recovery. Growth in digital outreach, media coverage, and national recognition combined with strategic planning to position Alexandria for sustained visitation and economic benefit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What milestone did Alexandria reach in 2024?
In 2024, Alexandria, VA, reached a historic milestone of $1 billion in visitor spending for the first time.
How much did visitor spending increase compared to the previous year?
This achievement represents an 8% increase from the previous year’s spending of $941 million.
How does current spending compare to pandemic lows?
The visitor spending marked a significant recovery from pandemic lows of $445 million in 2020.
Did Alexandria outperform nearby regions?
Alexandria’s growth outpaced both Northern Virginia and the Commonwealth of Virginia as a whole.
How much consumption tax revenue did the tourism surge generate?
The surge in tourism generated $88 million in consumption tax revenues for the city in fiscal year 2025.
How did consumption tax revenue compare to the previous year?
This consumption tax revenue surpassed the previous year’s total of $86 million, supporting core city services and saving the average Alexandria household $832 per year.
How many jobs does tourism support in Alexandria?
The tourism industry in Alexandria supports over 5,700 jobs.
What factors contributed to Alexandria’s tourism success?
Alexandria’s tourism success is attributed to strategic marketing, community involvement, and its rich cultural and historical offerings.
Who announced the tourism figures?
Visit Alexandria, the city’s tourism organization, announced these figures during their annual meeting.
What were the results of the city’s marketing efforts?
The city’s strategic marketing efforts generated over 200 million digital impressions, resulting in approximately 640,000 referrals to local businesses’ websites.
How much media coverage did Visit Alexandria get?
Visit Alexandria secured over 1,000 media stories, raising the city’s profile and increasing visitor interest.
What national recognition did Alexandria receive?
Alexandria earned significant national recognition, ranking No. 5 on Travel + Leisure’s “Best U.S. Cities” list in 2025.
Has Alexandria been recognized by Condé Nast Traveler?
The city was named one of Condé Nast Traveler’s “Best Small Cities in the U.S.” for the seventh consecutive year.
What strategic planning did the organization unveil?
The organization unveiled a comprehensive five-year strategic plan focused on sales and marketing, destination management, destination alignment, and organizational sustainability.
What are the future financial targets?
Future targets include maintaining visitor spending above $1 billion by fiscal year 2027 and achieving consumption tax revenues of over $100 million by fiscal year 2029.
What operational goals does Alexandria have for tourism?
Alexandria plans to develop its first tourism master plan, enhance visitor experiences, and provide hospitality training for 200 frontline employees by the end of fiscal year 2028.
How does the tourism increase position Alexandria nationally?
The tourism increase positions Alexandria as a major player alongside cities like Houston, Las Vegas, Chicago, Orlando, and Washington, D.C.
Key metrics chart
| Metric | Value | Visual (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor spending (2024) | $1,000,000,000 | ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ (100%) |
| Previous year spending (2023) | $941,000,000 | ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ (94%) |
| Pandemic low (2020) | $445,000,000 | ■■■■■■■■■ (45%) |
| Consumption tax revenue (FY2025) | $88,000,000 | ■■■■■■ (88 units) |
| Consumption tax revenue (FY2024) | $86,000,000 | ■■■■■■ (86 units) |
| Jobs supported | over 5,700 | ■■■■■■■■ (5.7k) |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- ALXnow: Alexandria Tourism Hits $1 Billion Milestone for First Time in City’s History
- Alexandria Living Magazine: Visit Alexandria Unveils $1 Billion in Visitor Spending
- Patch: Record $1B Spending by Travelers Reported in Alexandria
- Travel and Tour World: Alexandria Joins Major Cities in Skyrocketing US Tourism
- Google Search: Alexandria tourism trends
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
