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Vermont tourism official tells House tourism drives $4.2 billion but asks for no new FY27 funding
Summary
Commissioner Heather Pelham told the House Commerce & Economic Development Committee that 16 million annual visitors generate $4.2 billion in direct spending and about $300 million in direct taxes; the Department of Tourism & Marketing is not requesting new FY27 funding and highlighted targeted ad campaigns, a BIPOC visitation strategy and the GROW relocation program.
Commissioner Heather Pelham, Department of Tourism & Marketing, told the House Commerce & Economic Development Committee on Feb. 18 that Vermont’s visitor economy remains a major driver of state revenue and jobs but that the department is not asking for new operating funds in FY2027.
“16,000,000 people actually come to Vermont each year, and that's driving $4,200,000,000 in business spending,” Pelham said, citing the department’s most recent (2024) economic-impact analysis. She added that visitors paid “almost $300,000,000 in direct taxes paid by visitors in 2024,” and that tourism supports more than 30,000 jobs statewide.
Pelham out…
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