Food & beverage leads visitor spending as Columbia’s tourism economy reaches $3 billion

Visitors to the Columbia region generated a $3.0 billion economic impact in 2025, spending $1.9 billion throughout the local economy and supporting 23,731 jobs, according to the latest Economic Impact of Visitors to Columbia, SC study conducted by Tourism Economics. The report found that 17.4 million visitors traveled to Columbia in 2025.

One of the year’s most significant trends was continued growth in Columbia’s food and beverage sector—a key focus of Experience Columbia SC’s destination marketing efforts.

Visitors spent $594 million on food and beverages in 2025, accounting for 31% of all visitor spending, making it the single largest visitor spending category. Food and beverage spending also recorded the strongest growth among all sectors, increasing 3.8% year over year, outpacing lodging, recreation and entertainment, and retail.

“Tourism continues to be one of the strongest drivers of Columbia’s economy, generating billions in business activity, supporting nearly 24,000 jobs and creating meaningful tax relief for our residents,” said Bill Ellen, President and CEO of Experience Columbia SC. “What’s especially encouraging is the continued strength of our food and beverage sector. Visitors spent nearly $600 million dining in Columbia last year, and that category experienced the fastest growth of any visitor spending segment. Those numbers validate our long-term investment in promoting Columbia as a culinary destination and reflect the incredible work of our chefs, restaurateurs and hospitality partners who continue to elevate our region’s dining scene.”

The report also highlights the far-reaching benefits of tourism across the local economy:

• $730 million in personal income generated.
• $153 million in state and local tax revenue generated.
• Visitor spending supported one out of every 14 jobs in the region.
• The food and beverage industry alone accounted for 8,820 tourism-supported jobs, more than any other industry sector.

The economic impact extended well beyond restaurants, generating $636.2 million in total business sales for the food and beverage industry after accounting for supply chain and employee spending impacts. Retail, lodging, recreation and entertainment, and other sectors also benefited from visitor activity, underscoring tourism’s role as a catalyst for economic growth across the Columbia region.

Tourism also continues to provide a substantial benefit to local taxpayers. In 2025, visitor activity generated $323 million in total government revenue, including $153 million in state and local taxes. Without those tourism-generated revenues, each Columbia-area household would need to pay an estimated $523 more in taxes annually to maintain current government services.

The Tourism Economics study defines a visitor as someone who stays overnight or travels more than 50 miles to the destination. The study area includes Richland County, the City of Columbia and extends into Lexington County. The analysis combines visitor surveys with lodging, aviation, business sales, employment and tax data to measure tourism’s direct, indirect and induced economic impacts.

About Experience Columbia SC

Experience Columbia SC is the region’s destination marketing organization. We’re responsible for all marketing efforts intended to help more visitors discover all that makes Columbia the real Southern hot spot. Think of us as the biggest cheerleader for the heart of South Carolina. For more information, please visit www.experiencecolumbiasc.com.