Arlington’s Visitor Economy Delivers $4.6 Billion in 2025
September 18, 2026
According to newly released data from the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC), visitors to Arlington spent $4.62 billion in 2025 on transportation, food and beverage, lodging, recreation and retail. This spending supported more than 17,000 jobs in the County and generated $176 million in local tax revenue that helped fund schools, public safety, transportation and other essential services benefiting residents and businesses.
“For a community of just 26 square miles, Arlington’s position as Virginia’s second-largest visitor economy is remarkable,” said Anna Nissinen, Chief Economic Development Officer for Arlington, Virginia, and Director of Arlington Economic Development. “Visitors generated $4.6 billion in spending in 2025, supporting thousands of jobs, local businesses and critical tax revenues that benefit our entire community. The connectivity, vibrant neighborhoods and quality of place that bring people to Arlington are also fundamental to our ability to attract businesses, investment and talent. The strength we are already seeing in 2026 reinforces the resilience of Arlington’s visitor economy and its importance to our broader economic competitiveness.”
Although Arlington visitor spending hit an all-time record of $4.76 billion in 2024, several factors contributed to a 3.1% dip in 2025. Reductions in federal government and group travel, weaker international visitation and general economic uncertainty resulted in lower hotel demand throughout much of the year.
“While 2025 visitor activity reflected extraordinary circumstances that affected air travel and related lodging demand, Arlington’s underlying visitor economy has remained strong,” said Emily Cassell, Director of Arlington Convention and Visitors Service, a division of Arlington Economic Development. “Current 2026 performance provides an encouraging indicator of that strength, with hotel occupancy through July up nearly 5% compared with the same period last year. As these guests experience Arlington’s fantastic hotels, restaurants, stores, cultural offerings and historic attractions, they have a tremendous positive impact on our economy.”
According to the VTC, tourism in Virginia generated a record-high $36.2 billion in visitor spending in 2025. Arlington’s share comprises nearly 13% of the Commonwealth’s total. Virginia welcomed a record 46.6 million domestic and international overnight visitors in 2025, marking an increase of nearly one million visitors and the second consecutive year of record visitation. Visitors spent $99 million per day in Virginia, up from $96 million the previous year, with dining, recreation and other experience-based spending fueling much of that growth as travelers continued to prioritize meaningful travel experiences.
“For the fourth year in a row, we’re celebrating another record, and that kind of sustained growth speaks to the strength and resilience of Virginia’s tourism industry,” said President and CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation Rita McClenny. “From coast to cliff, visitors are discovering everything Virginia has to offer, and our tourism partners are delivering the experiences that keep them coming back.”
VTC receives its annual economic impact data from Tourism Economics. The information is based on domestic and international visitor spending from per-person trips. Visitors included those who stayed overnight or traveled more than 50 miles to the destination. Detailed economic impact data and methodology are available at vatc.org/research.