Despite economy, visitor spending trends up.

• Position: Statewide

Diane Nordstrom doesn't know why, but she is very happy about being asked. "It really surprises me, because we haven't had a lot of economic growth," says the director of the Currituck County Travel and Tourism Department. "No large shopping centers or hotels." Nevertheless, Currituck's visitor spending rose 8.1% in 2012--to $131.2 million--compared with the year before, according to a report prepared by the U.S. Travel Association for the North Carolina Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development. That was the largest increase in the state and in county history. "The number of rentals hasn't increased. The inventory we have is just doing better." She can't explain it, but she does have theories. For instance, her department began offering a card that gives visitors discounts at participating businesses. It has also invested in marketing and advertising. And being within a day's drive of Pennsylvania, Virginia, New York and New Jersey means the county is a relatively close vacation spot for a lot of families--many still trying to recover from tough economic times. But there's still something unexplainable about Currituck's crown. "Compared to other beach destinations in North Carolina, they're in the same boat. I don't know why we've done better."

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Economic impact of tourism by region 2012 Visitor Payroll Employees State taxes expenditures ($millions) (thousands) ($millions) ($millions) Charlotte 5,898.8 1,683.1 58.3 287.6 East 4,731.6 833.9 47.0 235.5 Triad 2,573.3 494.5 23.S 138.2 Triangle 3,495.5 856.2 37.7 174.5 West 2,711.5 524.0 27.1 134.7 State 19,409.8 4,391.3 193.6 970.4 Local taxes ($millions) Charlotte 142.2 East 178.7 Triad 56.5 Triangle 96.0 West 105.7 State 579.4 Visitor spending in North Carolina 2005 14,215 2006 15,395 2007 16,510 2008 16,864 2009 15,616 2010 17,015 2011...