Overall, travelers spent $24.7 billion in Virginia last year, or 4.4 percent more, according to the study.

All of Virginia’s 133 counties and independent cities saw an increase in tourism in 2017 compared to the previous year. Tourists spent the most in Arlington County at $3.26 billion, followed by Fairfax County ($3.16 billion); Loudoun County ($1.7 billion); and Virginia Beach ($1.56 billion).

Tourism spending in the Richmond region supported more than 23,700 jobs in 2017 and generated more than $163 million in state and local taxes, the study showed. Statewide, tourism resulted in 232,000 jobs and $1.73 billion in state and local taxes.

A strong point for tourism in the Richmond region is the increase in the hotel and motel occupancy and room rates, Berry said.

Revenue for hotels and motels in the six jurisdictions increased 6.2 percent to $367.4 million for the fiscal year that ended June 30 compared with the same period in the previous fiscal year.

“Hotels are having record occupancy and also they are charging more for the rooms,” Berry said. “Central Virginia has a higher demand than we have ever had.”