Virginia sees boost in international tourists

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginia saw a boost in the number of international tourists who visited last year.

Gov. Ralph Northam’s office announced this week that 1.1 million international tourists visited in 2017, a 2.7 percent increase from 2016.

The state estimates that international tourists spent $1.9 billion last year, up from $1.7 billion from the previous year.

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Canadians account for about half of Virginia’s international visitors. European visitors make up about 25 percent and 15 percent of international tourists to Virginia are from Asia.