Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Still a Variety Vacationland

Though it no longer proclaims it on our license plates, North Carolina remains a "Variety Vacationland." And it appears that folks truly understand and appreciate the wealth of opportunities in the state.

According to figures released on May 16 by the N.C. Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development (but not, oddly, Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms), tourist spending in the state jumped to a record $14.2 billion in 2005 -- up from 7 percent from the year before. The spending increase was the biggest annual jump in five years. Also, the number of business and leisure trips in the state -- by both in-state and out-of-state travelers -- totaled 64.5 million last year, up 2.9 percent.

Now, if we can only get the license plates changed back.

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