A recent report from travel site Hopper ranks Wilmington as the third most popular trending travel destination in the United States.
Kim Hufham, President and CEO of the Wilmington and Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the city’s efforts to attract visitors from outside the state are paying off.
Wilmington was once seen as just a small beach town, but that image has changed over the years.
Today, visitors spend time both on the beaches and exploring the downtown riverwalk.
This mix, along with increased marketing to travelers from farther away, has helped grow Wilmington’s tourism economy to over $1 billion each year.
“We’re not just a beach town or a riverfront city,” Hufham said. “We are a unique destination because we offer both.”
When asked what brought them to Wilmington, many tourists in the downtown area said it was the city’s rich history.
One visitor staying with a college friend said, “I’ve never seen a place with more history in America. In New York City, they don’t really teach or show this kind of history.
