Virginia Beach Tourism Tops $4 Billion in 2025
Visit Virginia Beach's 2025 report shows visitor spending and economic impact both grew modestly over the prior year.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Hospitality
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Tourism in Virginia Beach generated $4 billion in total economic impact in 2025, according to a report released by Visit Virginia Beach. The city welcomed 14.4 million visitors, a 0.6% increase from 2024.
Why it matters
The figures show continued growth in the city's visitor economy, with total economic impact rising 2.5% over the prior year. For Virginia Beach residents, tourism remains a major driver of spending across hotels, restaurants and local businesses.
Direct visitor spending reached $2.6 billion, averaging $7.2 million per day, and rose 2.4% in receipts versus 2024. Overnight visitors spent $700.9 million, or 26.8% of total spending, on lodging.
The players
Visit Virginia Beach
The official destination marketing organization for Virginia Beach, which publishes tourism research and visitor statistics for the city.
The details
Visitors spent 43% of their expenses on food and beverage, totaling $1.12 million, according to the study. The report also counted lodging spending that included short-term rentals and second homes.
Timeline
2025: Tourism generated $4 billion in economic impact and welcomed 14.4 million visitors.
Thursday, November 5, 2026: Visit Virginia Beach released the 2025 tourism report.
Industry Landscape
The 2025 totals continue the city's recurring annual tourism reporting, with visitor growth of 0.6% and spending growth of 2.4% indicating steady rather than rapid expansion in the local hospitality sector.
Visitor spending supports local restaurants and lodging options, which can affect availability and pricing for residents who dine out or book stays. Residents who rely on tourism-linked jobs may also see the effects of the sector's steady growth in local employment.
The takeaway
Steady visitor growth and rising spending suggest Virginia Beach's hospitality sector remains a dependable part of the local economy. Residents and businesses can watch these annual reports to gauge how tourism trends may affect costs and opportunities.
Further reading
Explore more Hospitality coverage for context on how visitor spending shapes the Virginia Beach economy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WAVY-TV 10 Hampton Roads.
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