National Travel & Tourism Week, May 4-10, was celebrated locally by the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce with its third annual Ice Cream Social, held on May 6 at the Cape Fear Regional Jetport.
The event highlighted the importance of the travel and tourism industry to the local community. Members of the business community gathered to enjoy sweet treats from Chuck’s Homemade Ice Cream and Sunset Slush Italian Ice, while celebrating the upcoming tourism season. High Tide Aviation added excitement to the day by offering introductory lighthouse air tours.
The Tourism Counts Ice Cream Social was sponsored by Duke Energy, Cape Fear Regional Jetport, High Tide Aviation, and Chuck’s Homemade Ice Cream.
Jack Hamilton of Hamilton Realty Group, eXp Realty, and Vice President of the Chamber’s Tourism Development Division, began the program by stating:
“Today, we are celebrating an industry that serves as a major economic engine for our local economy. Tourism supports 15 million jobs, generates $2.9 trillion in economic output, and funds essential public services nationwide. It strengthens every aspect of our economy, from infrastructure and tax revenue to business growth, environmental sustainability, and job creation.”
Howie Franklin of the Cape Fear Regional Jetport highlighted tourism’s significant contributions to local infrastructure. He noted that the Jetport is now the fourth busiest airport in North Carolina for take-offs and landings. “In 1996, the airport’s economic impact was just $40,000,” Franklin said. “Today, it generates $557 million in economic impact, including $38 million contributed directly to the county’s budget.”
John Sneed of the Brunswick County Tourism Development Authority spoke about the significant tax savings generated by tourism. “Tourism lessens the annual tax burden on our residents by $525 per person each year,” Sneed noted. He explained that visitors staying overnight pay a room occupancy tax in addition to sales tax, further contributing to local municipal budgets. Tourism also supports approximately 6,000 jobs in Brunswick County and has an economic impact of $1.17 billion.
Cindy Capps of Rusty Hooks Dockside Grill spoke about the positive impact of tourism on our community, stating, “We are selling joy and memories.” She emphasized that visitors bring a tremendous amount of energy and love to our area. They support local businesses and nonprofits and often become actively invested in the community. “Thanks to the tax dollars and revenue tourism generates, we enjoy a high quality of life — and we don’t have to shoulder the cost of beach renourishment on our own.”
Jim Hoffman of the Museum of Coastal Carolina & Ingram Planetarium spoke about the powerful impact vibrant educational programs can have on the environment. “We teach that how people live their lives matters — and that their choices affect our oceans and beaches, no matter how far they live from the coast,” he said. Through interactive video technology, visitors are virtually placed on the ocean floor to “stomp out” trash, reinforcing the importance of ocean conservation. The museum also shares inspirational messages such as: Organize a community cleanup, only leave footprints at the beach, fill in your holes at the beach, and turn off the water when you brush your teeth.
Marcell Hatten from the Department of Commerce — NCWorks, along with Rosemary Guendner, MPA, of the Workforce Development Board, spoke about their efforts to connect the local workforce with employers. “With tourism being the number one industry in Brunswick County, their key objective is to address a critical question: Do we have enough people to fill the jobs available?” Their work focuses on aligning workforce development strategies with the needs of the region’s growing tourism economy.
Governor Josh Stein announced on May 7 that the overall North Carolina tourism economy held strong against the headwinds of Hurricane Helene. Travelers spent more than $36.7 billion on trips to and within the state in 2024. The previous record of $35.6 billion was set in 2023.
The state’s tourism-supported workforce increased 1.4% to 230,338 jobs in 2024. Tourism payroll increased 2.6% to $9.5 billion. As a result of visitor spending, state and local governments saw rebounds in tax revenues to nearly $2.7 billion.
Concluding the Ice Cream Social event, Jack Hamilton exclaimed, “Tourism Counts in Brunswick County.”
