Value of Tourism in Delaware

Tourism's contribution to the state's GDP (the total market value of goods and services produced) in 2022 was $4.5 billion.

  • In 2022, there were 9.8 million overnight visitors to the State of Delaware. 
  • The Delaware tourism industry is the 4th largest private employer in the state, accounting for 52,415 jobs.
  • The tourism industry generated $690 million in tax revenue.
  • Without tourism, each Delaware household would pay an additional $1,764 in taxes.

Download the 2022 Value of Tourism Report here.

Sports Tourism Economic Impact

Delaware Tourism Office commissioned a study in November 2024 to analyze the economic impact of sports tourism in Delaware in calendar year 2023. The study found that:

  • Total direct spending associated with the sports tourism sector amounted to $257.9 million in 2023.
  • The sports tourism sector’s direct spending impact of $257.9 million generated $403.2 million in total business sales in the local economy, which supported 3,075 part-time and full-time jobs and generated $20.2 million in state and local taxes.
  • In 2023, 1.1 million sports travelers attended a sports tournament, race, or other event – either as a participant or spectator – in Delaware.
  • These sports travelers originated from more than 50 miles from the sports facility, with 44% of the sports travelers staying overnight in the host destination and 56% visiting for the day.
  • New Castle County hosted 453,400 or 40% of the 1.1 million sports travelers, the most of any county. Sussex County hosted 381,200 sports travelers and Kent County hosted 312,600 sports travelers in 2023.
  • The 1.1 million sports travelers spent $231.4 million while at the sports venue and at off-site establishments in Delaware, including local restaurants, hotels, retailers, and recreation / entertainment venues.
  • The tournament operational spending and off-site spending by non-local spectators and participants generated a total fiscal (tax) impact of $47.4 million. The state governments collected $15.1 million and the local governments collected $5.1 million as a result of the sports tourism sector in Delaware.

The full study can be found at this link.