Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board Celebrates National Travel and Tourism Week
May 2, 2025
May 2, 2025
Columbia, S.C. — Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board (CCLMC) is celebrating National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) from May 4-10, 2025. NTTW shines a spotlight on the U.S. travel industry’s essential role in driving economic growth, creating jobs, and enhancing the nation’s global competitiveness.
Since 1983, NTTW has underscored the travel industry’s contribution to U.S. economic strength, community vitality, and quality of life. In 2024, the U.S. travel industry generated $2.9 trillion in economic output, supported more than 15 million jobs, and produced $190 billion in tax revenue, equivalent to $1,490 per household.
As reported at the 2025 South Carolina Governor’s Conference on Travel and Tourism, the travel industry in the state of South Carolina has grown by 65% in the past decade to contribute more than $29 billion annually to the state’s economy by supporting local businesses and fostering long-term growth. The Tourism industry supports 10% of the state’s jobs and generates nearly $2 billion annually in state and local taxes.
CCLMC is a member of the South Carolina Association of Tourism Regions (SCATR), the 11 regional organizations charged with promoting tourism across the state of South Carolina. The organization actively markets the Capital City/Lake Murray Country region both regionally and nationally to attract visitors, boost tourism revenues, and deliver significant economic impact. In 2024, visitors made up 20% of overall spending in the region, including 39% of retail spending and 41% of attraction spending—with average visitor spending reaching $345 on retail and $97 at restaurants. Notably, 68% of visitors to the region came from out-of-state, with Charlotte, NC representing 17% of visitors, while Greenville, SC contributed 14%, and Atlanta, GA accounted for 4%. Through continued promotion of outdoor recreation, vacation planning, and event-based marketing, CCLMC plays a critical role in driving both economic growth and destination awareness.
“Travel drives economic opportunity and strengthens our community,” said Miriam Atria, President/CEO of CCLMC. “This National Travel and Tourism Week, we celebrate travel’s undeniable impact and reaffirm its importance in shaping our local economy and quality of life.”
Capital City/Lake Murray Country celebrations include staff greeting South Carolina visitors at the North Augusta and Fort Mill Welcome Centers on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, and complimentary sweet treats at the annual Spring Porch Party & Gift Shop Sale held at the Lake Murray Country Visitors Center on Thursday, May 8 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For more information and stats on tourism in the Lake Murray Country region, follow Capital City/Lake Murray Country on social media: Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and YouTube. To learn more about National Travel and Tourism Week, visit ustravel.org/NTTW.
About Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board:
CCLMC is the official source for all things Lake Murray Country. Explore The Top Southern Destinations of Columbia, Lake Murray, Lexington, Newberry, Richland, and Saluda. To plan your next trip, find information on attractions, dining, hotels, outdoor recreation, fishing, golf, and events. For more information about CCLMC, visit LakeMurrayCountry.com or call 803-781-5940 | 1-866-SC-JEWEL. Stay up-to-date with trip ideas, events, and more by following us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and YouTube.