Denver touts record year for tourism in 2016
The Mile High City welcomed a record high 31.5 million total tourists in 2016, including 17.3 million overnight visitors.
Overnight visitor numbers grew by nearly one million or a 6% increase year-over-year.
Spending was also up 5% to a record $5.3 billion.
"This is a milestone year marking the first time Denver surpassed 30 million total visitors and the 11th consecutive year that we have generated record tourism numbers," said Richard Scharf, president & CEO of VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau.
"Since voters approved an increase of tourism marketing dollars in 2005, Denver has seen tourism grow nearly three times the pace of the national average, 62% for Denver, compared to 22% nationally."
Overnight leisure visitors increased 7% in 2016 to 14.7 million but business travel was flat at 2.6 million.
The city also welcomed a record 14.2 million day visitors.
"Tourism is a huge economic driver for our city, and we are pleased we have been able to build on our success in driving visitor demand that fills our hotels, restaurants and attractions, while also driving tourism throughout Colorado," Scharf said.
Denver International Airport handled an all-time high of 58.3 million air travellers.
VISIT DENVER said tourism spending in the city supports 55,000 jobs
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