Perdue proclaims Tourism Day in NC

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Gov. Bev Perdue is proclaiming a day where the North Carolina tourism industry is recognized for its importance to the state's growth and economic stability.

The governor has proclaimed Wednesday as Tourism Day.

A statement from the governor's office says visitors spend more than $50 million per day in North Carolina and contribute more than $4.3 million per day in state and local tax revenues as a result of that spending. Each North Carolina household saves over $430 annually in state and local taxes as a result of taxes generated by visitor expenditures.

Perdue's office also says that for the first time, state tax receipts as a result of visitor spending topped $1 billion in 2011 and have increased more than 50 percent in the last 10 years.