RICHMOND, VA — Overseas visitor spending in the Commonwealth of Virginia for 2012 hit a record of $425 million, a 9% increase over 2011, according to Governor Bob McDonnell.

The state also welcomed increased visitation and spending by Canadian visitors in 2012, with overnight visitation up 3% (to 651,500) and spending up more than 4%, totaling nearly $155 million.

The U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Travel and Tourism Industries, the Survey of International Air Travelers, and Statistics Canada provide the annual economic data. Canada remains the top international country-of-visitor origin for Virginia with 50% of all person trips coming from Ontario followed by the secondary market in Quebec at 39%.

During his term, Governor McDonnell placed a high importance on hospitality, tourism, wine and film by promoting it across the country and around the world. The governor promoted tourism during his international marketing missions to Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Israel, India, China and South Korea.