Tourism Continues to Grow in West Point and King William County
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 14, 2026
Contact:
Melissa Anderson
Communications Manager
Tourism Continues to Grow in West Point and King William County
Visitor spending reaches nearly $24 million in 2025, marking another year of steady growth
West Point & King William County, VA — Tourism continues to make a meaningful and growing contribution to the economies of the Town of West Point and King William County, according to newly released data from the Virginia Tourism Corporation.
Visitors spent $23.87 million in West Point and King William County in 2025, an increase of 2.5% over 2024 and the latest in a steady series of annual gains for the destination. Visitor spending has increased every year since 2020, demonstrating sustained interest in the area and the growing economic value of tourism to both communities.
The continued increase comes amid a mixed year across Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay tourism region, where individual localities experienced a combination of modest growth and declines. Against that regional backdrop, the continued positive trajectory in West Point and King William County reflects the strength of a destination built around authentic experiences, locally owned businesses, outdoor recreation, history and culture, year-round events, and the welcoming character of its communities.
“We are incredibly proud to see another year of growth for tourism in West Point and King William County,” said Melissa Anderson, communications manager for the Town of West Point, who oversees marketing for the Visit West Point & King William tourism initiative. “But these numbers represent much more than dollars spent. They represent visitors eating in our restaurants, shopping in our stores, gathering with us at events throughout the year, exploring our rivers and historic sites, staying overnight, and discovering the people and places that make this area special. Most importantly, they reflect the tremendous work our local businesses and organizations do every day to welcome people with genuine Southern hospitality.”
The latest numbers build on a milestone year for the destination. In 2024, visitor spending reached $23.3 million, an increase of 7.9% from 2023. That increase was the highest in the Chesapeake Bay tourism region and placed West Point and King William County among the top 20% of localities for tourism growth across Virginia.
The recent growth reflects a longer-term trend rather than a one-year surge. Visitor spending grew from approximately $14.9 million in 2020 to nearly $23.9 million in 2025, with increases recorded each year along the way. The newly released VTC report also estimates that visitor activity directly supported 203 jobs, generated approximately $5.5 million in labor income and produced approximately $900,000 in local tax revenue and $594,000 in state tax revenue across West Point and King William County during 2025.
Visitors are drawn to a variety of experiences across the two localities — from the waterfront and small-town character of historic West Point to King William’s scenic countryside, farms, locally owned shops and restaurants, cultural and historic attractions, and opportunities to enjoy the Mattaponi, Pamunkey and York rivers.
Events throughout the year offer even more reasons to visit, inviting people to experience the area through its traditions, culture, food, and gathering places. From the Upper Mattaponi and Mattaponi Pow Wows and Juneteenth celebrations to farmers markets, waterfront food truck nights, live music and performing arts, Restaurant Week, the Chesty Puller 10K, holiday traditions, and the beloved West Point Crab Carnival, the calendar gives visitors reasons to experience the area throughout the seasons — and often a reason to return. Events at local shops, farms and community organizations further extend tourism’s reach across the destination.
At the heart of tourism in West Point and King William County is a broad network of local businesses, restaurants, retailers, farms, attractions, event organizers, nonprofits, and community organizations that help bring the destination to life. Whether greeting guests, sharing the area’s history and culture, hosting events or creating special places to eat, shop and explore, their work gives people a reason to visit — and a reason to come back.
Visit West Point & King William (WPKW) extends its appreciation to the West Point Town Council and King William County Board of Supervisors for their continued investment in and support of tourism; to Virginia Tourism Corporation for its partnership and resources; and to WPKW’s regional tourism partners, advertisers, and community partners whose collaboration helps extend the destination’s reach. That appreciation also extends to the visitors who discover West Point and King William County for the first time and those who return year after year.
“There is tremendous energy behind this partnership and what we are building together,” said Derek Stamey, King William County administrator. “King William County is excited to continue working alongside the Town of West Point to grow tourism, support our local businesses, and showcase the incredible assets that make this area such a special place to visit, invest in, and call home. We believe we are just getting started.”
With another year of growth now in the books, the destination is looking ahead.
“Our momentum is exciting, but what excites us most is how much more there is to share,” Anderson said. “There are more stories to tell, more experiences to discover, and more opportunities to support the businesses and organizations that make this place so special. We’re grateful for how far we’ve come, and we’re incredibly excited for what’s ahead.”
“Tourism and economic development go hand in hand, and there is tremendous opportunity to build on the momentum we’re seeing throughout West Point and King William County,” said Jason Smith, senior director of Community and Economic Development for King William County. “As we look ahead, we’re excited to continue strengthening the partnership between the Town and County, expanding opportunities for recreation and tourism, and supporting the businesses and experiences that draw people here. Working together, we can continue building a destination that benefits our visitors, our local businesses and, most importantly, our communities.”
About Visit West Point & King William
Visit West Point & King William (WPKW) is a joint tourism initiative of the Town of West Point and King William County, showcasing the people, places and experiences that make this corner of Virginia’s Middle Peninsula worth discovering. Nestled along the Mattaponi, Pamunkey and York rivers, the destination invites visitors to experience locally owned shopping and dining, outdoor recreation, farms and agritourism, Native American heritage and culture, historic sites, year-round events, and the scenic landscapes of coastal and country Virginia.
Start planning your visit and discover more at visitwestpointkingwilliam.com.
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