2023: A record year for Wake County’s tourism tax collections

Visit Raleigh’s year-end Wake County Tourism Industry Report shows 2023 as the highest recorded year for tourism tax collections.

A rendering of a hotel coming soon to Raleigh.

The Omni Raleigh Hotel, expected to open in 2027, will add 550 guest rooms to downtown.

Rendering provided by Omni Hotels + Visit Raleigh

Visit Raleigh released its year-end Wake County Tourism Industry Report, revealing 2023 as the highest year on record for tourism tax collections. Here are a few highlights for the 2023 calendar year:

  • Hotel lodging tax collections added up to more than $38 million, up $5.1 million over 2022.
  • Prepared food + bev tax collections totaled $44.6 million, an increase of $3.8 million over 2022.
  • Both hotel lodging and prepared food + bev tax collections were the highest year on record, totaling 12.13% higher than 2022.
  • Visit Raleigh and the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance hosted 367 events which brought nearly 629,000 visitors to the area.

Bonus: There are multiple downtown developments that will soon aid our growing tourism industry like the Raleigh Union Station Bus Facility and The Omni Raleigh Hotel.

Read the full Visit Raleigh report.

More from RALtoday
Raleigh restaurants, cafes, and diners serving up all the eggs, pancakes, mimosas, and other brunch favorites you want to eat.
Give your kiddos a summer filled with fun at these local summer camps.
Oscar Diaz, from Durham’s Little Bull and Aaktun, is one of 15 “cheftestants” on season 23 of Bravo’s “Top Chef,” and we learned more about his favorite local spots at the Charlotte premiere.
Help us create a growing guide to small businesses by submitting your favorite local makers, restaurants, and professionals, and sharing this page with a friend.
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
Needlepoint is one of the biggest “analog hobby” trends. Here’s where to learn and meet other stitchers.
In case you hadn’t noticed, Raleigh’s growing in a big way, and some mixed-use developments are set to transform downtown + Midtown in 2026 and beyond. Here’s what you need to know about three major developments.
Discover the top Raleigh business podcasts, voices, and local resources our readers are tuning into — from must-listen interviews to expert insights.
Visit The Magic of the Fourth Ward: A Journey Through Time and Culture at the Martin Marietta Center to learn more about this vibrant neighborhood destroyed by urban renewal.
Microsoft, the world’s No. 4 most valuable company, will bring a data center to a large parcel in Person County.