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Richmond Region Tourism reports record visitation, cites hotel shortfall near convention center
Summary
Richmond Region Tourism presented an annual update to the Richmond City Council highlighting record visitation and tax revenue, workforce initiatives and a continued shortfall of hotel rooms near the convention center that officials say has cost the region convention business.
Catherine O'Donnell, president and CEO of Richmond Region Tourism, told the Richmond City Council at an informal meeting that the region is breaking records for visitation and overnight trips and that visitor spending is a major economic driver for the city.
"We promote the Richmond Region to visitors, attracting meetings, conventions, tournaments, and leisure travelers who spend their money in our community," O'Donnell said during the presentation. She said the region took a cooperative, seven-locality approach to marketing and noted the convention center and sports events as major draws.
The update highlighted several metrics and programs the agency said are central to growth. O'Donnell said the city of Richmond recorded about $908,000,000 in visitor spending in 2023 and that visitor activity generated approximately $176,400,000 in local taxes and supported more than 8,000 jobs. She also said the region reached "over $39,000,000 in total tax revenue" last fiscal…
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