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Visit Williamsburg: tourism tax receipts and hotel demand are up as 2—50th events drive visits
Summary
Visit Williamsburg officials told the James City County Board that transient lodging tax revenue and hotel metrics have rebounded since the pandemic, with rooms sold up about 6% and occupancy up about 7.7% compared with last year; the office highlighted 2—50th-year events and an advertising push into summer.
Ed Harrison of Visit Williamsburg updated the James City County Board on tourism performance in the historic triangle, saying transient lodging-tax collections rose over the past two years and that year-to-date receipts are roughly 4%. "Over the past two years we saw the transient tax collections increase over 11%," Harrison said. He added that hotel occupancy had improved 7.7% and that rooms sold were up roughly 6% year over year.
The presentation framed the increases as part of a national recovery pattern and tied local gains to a marketing effort around the 2—50th observances and a campaign platform called "America's journey begins." Harrison said the office is tracking advanced bookings for Independence Day and highlighted recent earned-media coverage, including a Today Show segment that showcased Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown.
Board members welcomed the numbers and asked about distribution of printed visitor guides. Supervisor Wainwright thanked Harrison and noted the role of large tournaments in driving room nights: "We just got finished with a huge soccer tournament this weekend that I believe brought in 2,000 room nights," she said, adding that those events support hotels and restaurants.
Harrison also described several special projects tied to the 2—50th program, including an America'00th birthday quilt made from more than 2,000 squares submitted nationwide, and previewed upcoming events at Busch Gardens and town festivals. He encouraged residents and businesses to use the 2—50th passport and other materials to promote visits this summer.
The board did not take formal action on the presentation. The tourism update was given as informational, and staff said they will continue to work with local hospitality partners and the sports and events center operator to maximize room-night generation and visitor spend.
