Support Us Button Widget

Charlotte experiencing ongoing tourism boom

Tourism boom credited to the city’s uptick in sports and large-scale events.

Thousands of people pack the stands over a soccer field with the Uptown Charlotte skyline at night in the background.

Professional sports teams like Charlotte FC are credited for attracting thousands of out-of-town fans for games.

Photo by CLTtoday

So, what’s there to do in Charlotte? Apparently, many people think there’s a lot.

The Transportation, Planning & Development Committee revealed new data during the Charlotte City Council meeting on April 1. The local tourism industry drew more than $7 billion to the city in 2022. Nearly 31 million people visited the region in the last year and 13.5 million of those visitors stayed overnight — 43%.

City leaders credit sporting events and major venues hosting high-profile events for fueling the increased traffic. Editor’s note: there’s plenty more on the way.

WCNC Charlotte reports the 10 days with the highest number of visits to Uptown in January and February of 2024 were mostly tied to sports and tourism venues — like the return of Charlotte FC.

Since 2021, the number of visits to Uptown in the first quarter of the year increased by 107%. What does that mean? During the peak days for Uptown, the number of visits average more than 96,000 beyond a typical day.

More from CLTtoday
The music venue would be near Bank of America Stadium’s North Gate and would be constructed by 2030.
Sponsored
The upcoming event hosted by Mac’s Speedshop and the Carolina BBQ Festival will showcase four of Charlotte’s pitmasters and barbecue before the main event next spring.
With 40,000+ sqft of equipment and 24/7 access, this NoDa gym has become a community hub for anyone chasing their fitness goals.
Troodie, a new social app built to connect foodies, content creators, and restaurants, just launched in the Queen City.
We’re breaking down everything you need to know about adding an accessory dwelling unit — also known as an ADU — to your property.
Grab your crew or make it a solo date to screen flicks from horror to animation at these local movie nights.
Dining in Charlotte is always a fresh experience, with new restaurants popping up all the time — and more on the way. From a classic hamburger to fine dining, bookmark this page to keep in the know about all the new restaurants coming to town.
October is going to be a colorful month in the Charlotte area, and there are plenty of places to look at the leaves before they fall.
Fall is in the air, and many Charlotte businesses are celebrating with dishes, pastries, and drinks perfect for cozy season.