Domestic visitor spending in Beaufort County increased from $75.68 million in fiscal year 2014-2015 to $77.71 million in fiscal year 2015-2016, which ended June 30, a 2.68-percent increase, according to a study.

The tourism-related data comes from an annual study commissioned by Visit North Carolina and conducted by the U.S. Travel Association. The study uses sales and tax revenue data, employment figures and other industry and economic data to determine the overall impact of visitor spending in North Carolina.

For fiscal year 2015-2016, Beaufort County ranked 58^th out of the state’s 100 counties in percentage of increase in expenditures by tourists. From fiscal year 2013 to 2014, the county saw a 6.6-percent increase in visitor spending. Polk County experienced the largest percentage increase in visitor spending from fiscal year 2014-2015 to $77.71 million in fiscal year 2015-2016 with an 11.8-percent rise.

Across the state, 91 of the state’s 100 counties experienced increases in visitor spending from fiscal year 2014-2015 to fiscal year 2015-2016.

The increase in visitors and their spending affects the local economy. That 2.68-percent increase from year to year translates into $2.03 million more in spending by tourists.

“Traditional economic indicators suggested that the economy would continue on the upswing in 2015. We have seen that to be true here in Washington,” said Lynn Wingate, tourism-development director for Washington. “Increased visitor spending is positive for our entire county, not just one community. This is a good indicator of the strength of the tourism industry and its future in Beaufort County. These figures show that tourism is economic development.”

Wingate added: “There are many positive things happening in the area that are attracting day-trippers, potential retirees and business travelers. I am optimistic that the new public relations efforts of the Washington Tourism Development Authority, and partnership projects to attract retirees will continue to bring added benefits to Washington and Beaufort County in the next few years.”

“Tourism is a major force in North Carolina’s economic development,” Gov. Pat McCrory said in a news release. “The industry is fueling a continued growth in jobs and contributing substantial sums to the state budget and local economies in every corner of our great state.”

During the past fiscal year, visitors spent a record $21.9 billion statewide, nearly a 3-percent rise from the previous fiscal year.

In fiscal year 2015-2016, the county ranked 48^th in travel impact among the state’s 100 counties, the same ranking it had for the previous fiscal year.

In fiscal year 2015-2016, about 460 jobs in Beaufort County were directly attributable to travel and tourism, according to the data. Travel generated a $10.34 million payroll in fiscal year 2015-2016, up from a $9.6 million payroll in the previous fiscal year.

During fiscal year 2015-2016, state and local sales-tax revenues generated by travel and tourism in Beaufort County amounted to $8.52 million, which represents a $178.83 tax savings to each county resident, according to the study. Local and state taxes generated by travel in Beaufort County came to $8.1 million in the previous fiscal year, representing a tax savings of $170.09 for each county resident, according to the 2014-2015 data.

Beaufort County’s largest tourism spending increase from one year to the next year came in 2005, when the economic impact of domestic tourism jumped 11.97 percent over that impact in 2004.