Columbia Attracts Record 16.4 Million Visitors in 2023, Celebrates Tourism Growth

Columbia Welcomes Record-Breaking Number of Visitors in 2023

Columbia, South Carolina, has some exciting news to share! Tourism in the area is thriving, and the latest stats indicate that a whopping 16.4 million visitors made their way to the city in 2023 – that’s an increase from 15.8 million the previous year. These figures were unveiled during a cheerful media breakfast held on September 10, 2024, at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center (CMCC), which is marking its 20th anniversary this month. What a celebration!

President Bill Ellen Shares Exciting Growth Insights

During the breakfast, President and CEO Bill Ellen explained how these impressive numbers represent the ongoing growth of tourism in Columbia. He credited the hard work of the Experience Columbia SC (ECSC) staff, mentioning how the CMCC has played a vital role in inviting people to gather for meetings and events over the years. “Thanks to successful strategies and support from our stakeholders, our region welcomed over 16 million visitors in 2023, and tourism has a $2.8 billion economic impact in this region annually,” Ellen said with enthusiasm.

Did you know that tourism generates $137 million in state and local taxes and supports 22,546 jobs? With visitor spending up by 6.5 percent, that translates to $1.8 billion being spent by visitors in 2023 alone!

A Milestone for the CMCC

Cheryl Swanson, vice president and general manager for the CMCC, also took the stage to discuss the center’s milestone anniversary. Since opening its doors in September 2004, the CMCC has welcomed over 3.9 million visitors and hosted more than 8,000 events. “The CMCC’s greatest achievement is we have accomplished exactly what a convention center is supposed to do,” she proudly stated. “We’ve attracted nearly 4 million people here over the past 20 years.”

Exciting Celebrations Ahead

As part of the celebration, the CMCC is hosting a VIP reception for partners and stakeholders on September 16, where a live painter will create a new piece of art for the center’s collection. Plus, on September 18, the public is invited to an open house featuring refreshments, a walking tour, and the chance to win prizes! What a fun way to celebrate the heart of Columbia’s tourism!

Strategies and Successes

In addition to the impressive numbers, Ellen highlighted the efforts from various departments, from sales teams reaching out to planners to marketing executing innovative strategies. “You won’t find a more passionate team anywhere,” he remarked. This collaborative spirit among team members has played a significant role in keeping visitors coming back to Columbia.

Interestingly, the CMCC is also recognized for being a catalyst in tourism growth since its opening. Ellen noted how the center has created fond memories for thousands of residents who have attended events there, and this personal connection drives community pride.

Looking Into the Future

As Columbia gears up for more visitors and events, recent updates were shared about the $13 million economic impact from the Rivals in Red Tour at the University of South Carolina’s Williams-Brice Stadium and 178 events booked by the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (CVB) this year alone. The growth doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon!

With all these accomplishments, including a 38 percent increase in traffic to the Visitors Center, Columbia is on an exciting path. The diverse marketing strategies, including partnerships with collegiate athletes, draw attention to the region and promise even more visitors in the months and years ahead.

As the Columbia community comes together to celebrate these achievements, the excitement for the future is palpable. Who knows what new adventures and experiences await in this vibrant city? One thing is for sure: Columbia is ready to meet the challenge and welcome everyone with open arms!