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Welcome Center reports tourism growth in 2025; $96 million visitor spending cited
Summary
The Randolph County Welcome Center reported 19,193 visitors and nearly $96 million in tourism spending for 2025, with a marketing budget of $175,000 and almost $650,000 in hotel-motel tax revenues. Director Ian Thirdsley highlighted digital campaigns, cooperative advertising, and visitor programs that boosted reach.
Ian Thirdsley, executive director of the Welcome Center, told the council the center served 19,193 guests in 2025 and distributed 39,061 brochures statewide. "Over the past 20 years, we have served over 602,000 guests at our welcome center," Thirdsley said, and he reported nearly $96 million in tourist spending in Randolph County last year, supporting more than 1,000 jobs.
Thirdsley outlined digital and cooperative marketing efforts that produced roughly 6 million social media views, nearly 36,000 followers, and 321,000 website views in 2025. He discussed new initiatives including a visitors' appreciation card (discounts for local businesses) and a digital passport for maple-syrup season to encourage multi-site visits. Councilors asked about visitor feedback and weekday attractions; staff said feedback is tracked via a sign-in book, social media, and Google reviews but routine survey data are not collected.
