The latest tourism data from Experience Columbia SC — the region’s destination marketing organization — is here and the numbers are on the rise. As the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center celebrates 20 years next week, let's take a look at this past year's impact on local tourism.

Fast facts

$2.8 billion — the annual impact tourism had on our region

$1.8 billion — the amount visitors spent while visiting our area, up 6.5% from 2022. Fun fact: visitors spend ~5 million every day in our region.

$137 million — the amount of state + local taxes that were generated from tourism

16.4 million — the number of visitors Columbia saw in 2023, up from 15.8 million in 2022

23,000+ — the number of jobs tourism created last year

Some drivers of local tourism

The Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center

Since opening in 2004, the convention center has welcomed ~4 million visitors and hosted 8,000+ events, putting on ~40 events per year — think: Soda City Comic Con. To celebrate its 20 years, the convention center will be open to the public on Wednesday, Sept. 18 from 4-6 p.m. for refreshments, tours, and prizes.

Sports tourism — think: the Rivals in Red game, GameDay coming this weekend, March Madness games... etc.

Scott Powers, the Executive Director of Sports for Experience Columbia, said "Williams-Brice will continue to be an economic driver for the future," after referring to the transformation Willy B went through to be converted into a soccer pitch.

Rivals in Red impact

77,559 people attended this game with 60% of tickets purchased outside of the Columbia Metro area

On the night of Saturday, Aug. 3, hotels had an occupancy rate of 91.3%

The game had an economic impact of $13.1 million. Fun fact: A typical SEC home game for the Gamecocks generates a ~$10 million impact on our community.