The report’s findings underscore the integral role that sports tourism and conventions have played in the Richmond area, said Jack Berry, president and CEO of Richmond Region Tourism.

“2019 was another record year for the region thanks to a busy slate of sports tournaments, conventions and trade shows along with a thriving leisure travel market,” Berry said.

“As we look to the future, we know the health of our region’s economy depends on a strong travel economy,” Berry said. “The travel industry supports more small businesses in our region than any other major sector. Sports tourism, as well as meetings and conventions, are both vital parts of our travel industry.”

The coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of many tourism events this spring, summer and into the fall including all but one weekend of The Jefferson Cup tournaments as well as other sporting events, notably NASCAR’s spring race, and conventions.

The cancellations took a toll on the region’s hospitality, tourism and food service industries.

For instance, occupancy levels at hotels in the Richmond region fell 40.3% in June compared with the same month a year ago as fewer business and leisure travelers stayed in area hotels and motels, according to data from STR Inc., a lodging industry research firm that is a division of CoStar Group. Occupancy rates stood at 43% in June, down from 72% a year ago.