WNC Business -- Tourism spending across Henderson County grew by 3.6% in 2025, reaching a record $453.34 million and cementing the county’s position as a major economic engine in Western North Carolina.
The annual findings, released in The Economic Impact of Travel on North Carolina Counties study by Tourism Economics for Visit North Carolina, reveal that Henderson County outpaced the statewide tourism growth rate of 1.3% by nearly threefold. The performance placed Henderson County 12th statewide in net visitor spending dollars gained, adding nearly $15.89 million to the local economy over the previous year.
Key Economic Highlights
Total Visitor Spending: $453.34 million (a 3.6% increase over 2024)
Local Workforce Support: 2,813 tourism-related jobs
Worker Payroll: $126.7 million generated directly across the local hospitality and service sectors
Tax Generation: $16.27 million in state tax revenue and $18.13 million in local taxes
Direct Resident Tax Relief: Saved each Henderson County household an estimated $278.38 in state and local taxes
Statewide Standing: Ranked 17th out of 100 North Carolina counties for total tourism volume
Broad-Based Growth and Regional Resilience
The gains were distributed across all five primary visitor expenditure categories:
Lodging
Food and Beverage
Recreation and Mountain Attractions
Retail and Downtown Shopping
Local Transportation
The double-digit dollar growth reflects notable resilience following weather disruptions in late 2024, showing that traveler demand for Hendersonville, Flat Rock, Mills River, and surrounding mountain communities returned quickly.
"Our county's performance points to growing strength as a distinct destination with its own identity, experiences, and reasons to visit," said Michelle Owens, Executive Director of Visit Hendersonville.
Building on Broader Regional Momentum
The surge in travel and hospitality mirrors the broader business expansion taking place across Western North Carolina. Manufacturing, technology, and agribusiness investments have continued to expand local payrolls and commercial infrastructure throughout the region.
Combined with robust consumer spending in local restaurants, retail corridors, and agritourism stops like orchards and cideries, Henderson County continues to demonstrate strong year-over-year economic vitality.
Full Tourism Study: Access the complete county-by-county breakdown and datasets directly at Visit NC Economic Impact Studies.