2023: A record-setting year for Charleston tourism

A record-setting number of visitors made their way to Charleston last year; see how those trips helped boost the economy + tourism industry.

Pink sunset over the Battery. There are Palmetto tree and the Charleston skyline

There’s nothing quite like golden hour in CHS.

Photo by @owen_granata

Charleston is renowned for its hospitality, rich history, great culinary scene, and beautiful beaches. We consider ourselves lucky to experience what the city has to offer daily and understand why so many are drawn to our city’s uniqueness.

A few weeks back, the CHStoday team had the chance to attend an event hosted by the folks at Explore Charleston, where we chatted about all things Holy City. There, we saw a presentation from the College of Charleston Office of Tourism Analysis detailing the impact and importance of tourism.

Keep reading for a peek at some of the data from the “Estimation of Tourism’s Economic Impacts in the Greater Charleston Area, 2023.”

New standards
Our region continues to outdo itself, setting new records in several areas, including the total number of visitors, airport travelers, sales attributable to tourism, number of people working in the tourism industry, hotel room nights sold, and economic impact, which is up 2.2% from 2022.

Quick facts from 2023

  • 7.79 million | Estimated number of people who visited the Charleston area
  • 70.7% | Average hotel occupancy
  • $185 | Average daily rate of a hotel
  • 6.15 million | People passed through the Charleston International Airport

Economic impact from 2023

  • $13.10 billion | Estimated total economic impact
  • 53,700 | Tourism industry workers
  • $1,048 | Average spending per adult
  • 4.9 million | Hotel room nights sold
  • 24.7% | Sales in the region attributed to tourism

For those looking to visit the 843, check out these must-see spots recommended by CHStoday readers.

More from CHStoday
Broaden your horizons and indulge in elevated fare with a tasting menu from one of these Charleston restaurants.
Celebrate Black History Month with these community events around the Holy City.
The Darius Rucker Big Band Gala will offer a unique night of music, with part of the proceeds benefiting the Charleston community.
Dip your toes into “phillumeny,” aka the practice of collecting matchbooks, while you explore CHS and support local businesses at the same time.
Several Charleston restaurants are offering special Lunar New Year menus.
Spending Valentine’s Day at home? Here’s how you can still have a special night without breaking the bank, hiring a sitter, or even leaving your couch.
Get in on the outdoor-lover fun or elevate your SEWE experience with one of these several events happening around the Holy City.
Bareo, a new concept from the team behind Kultura, is opening on Spring Street and aims to be a spot to celebrate good food and friendship.
We’ve rounded up the top things to do and places to eat if you plan to spend Valentine’s Day in Charleston.
Whether you’re planning a wild weekend of wildlife interaction or a quiet evening admiring fine art, The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition has something for everybody.