evidence: The story for visitor spending in Sanford is also record-breaking. Total visitor spending rose 8.6 percent to $104.59 million in 2023, placing Lee County at the number 12 spot statewide for spending growth. [...] The visitor spending study, commissioned by VisitNC and conducted by Tourism Economics, provides preliminary estimates of domestic and international traveler expenditures as well as employment, payroll income, and state and local tax revenues directly generated by these expenditures. The statistical model draws on detailed data from VisitNC as well as data derived from federal and state government sources, nationally known private and non-profit travel organizations, and other travel industry sources. [...] - Domestic travelers spent a record $34.6 billion in 2023. Spending was up 6.8 percent from $32.4 billion in 2022. International travelers spent $997 million in 2023, up 9.5 percent from the previous year.