Sand Dollars: Thriving on Tourism
Tourism is foundational to Carteret County’s success.
This is your destination for learning more about how tourism benefits our community and what it needs to thrive. From jobs and tax revenue to our school and healthcare systems to restaurants and businesses you know and love – tourism’s benefits are everywhere.
Facts & Figures
A Treasure Trove of Facts and Figures
Carteret County’s tourism economy ranks among the top fifteen in the entire state, significantly contributing to our financial prosperity and rising quality of life.
Here’s a look at how tourism contributes to our community and what’s ahead for this important industry.
Sand Dollars Spotlight
David Tucker, Blue Ocean Market
A crystal clear perk of visiting the Crystal Coast: fresh seafood. A key fisherman to thank for the delicious fish coming right off the boat to your kitchen table—or the menu at your favorite restaurant—is David Tucker of Blue Ocean Market.
Originally from Greenville, North Carolina, the now-longtime Carteret County resident grew up fishing on the weekends with his dad and uncle, but often visited and stayed at his grandmother’s place in Atlantic Beach.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in economics from UNC Chapel Hill and a master’s in business administration from East Carolina University, Tucker made the move to Carteret County to begin his fishing business as an early 20-something.
Enter Blue Ocean Market. The “catch and eat” enterprise has its hand in wholesaling seafood up and down the coast, not to mention in major cities such as Boston, New York and Chicago. Crystal Coast locals and tourists alike can find Blue Ocean Market fish at markets in Atlantic Beach and Morehead City.
While the fishy outpost is heavily supported by Carteret County residents, tourism provides a significant boost to Blue Ocean Market’s success, according to Tucker.
“If you look at our numbers and restaurant retail sales, it’s a bell curve,” said Tucker. “In January, [sales] are lower. They creep up in the spring, increasing from Memorial Day to Labor Day. We count on it. If it weren’t for tourists, life would be completely different.”
To boot, Tucker supports his 28 employees—plus his 11- and 13-year-old sons—with good jobs, and that doesn’t even include his boat crews! When it comes to the demand for fresh fish, Tucker has no doubt: Blue Ocean Market thrives, in large part, because of tourism.
If you work in Carteret County’s tourism industry and would like to potentially be featured in
our Sand Dollars Spotlight, please contact Jillian Lister at sanddollars@crystalcoastnc.org.
Blog
Jen Carter, Caribsea
We spoke with Jen Carter, General Manager of Caribsea in Emerald Isle, a coastal fine dining destination known for fresh, sustainable seafood, rooftop cocktails, and unforgettable celebrations. At Caribsea, dining is more than a meal — it’s an experience. Guests enjoy...
Neil Smith, Cap’n Willis Seafood Market
At Cap’n Willis Seafood Market, a longtime staple of the Crystal Coast, Neil Smith has become a familiar and trusted face. Born and raised on these waters, Neil has spent all of his 74 years along the Crystal Coast, fishing nearly every day he could and building a...
Ricky Farrington, EI Paddle Tours / Real Estate Agent
Along the sunlit shores of Emerald Isle, where generations have built their lives around the water, Ricky Farrington has shaped a career that blends his love for the outdoors with a deep understanding of the Crystal Coast. Born and raised in Carteret County, Ricky is...
Prosperity
Tourism brings substantial revenue to Carteret County:
- Tourism is our largest tax generator – serving up more than $743, 380,000 in economic impact.
- Tourism generated more than $29,500,000 in local sales tax in 2024. Carteret County’s general fund budget for the same year was just over $130,020,000 million.
- Tourism’s economic impact saves each Carteret County resident $729 in taxes annually.
- Tourism directly accounts for approximately 15% of all employment in Carteret County.
- Tourism in Carteret County accounted for $147,000,000 in labor income in 2023.
- Each short-term rental stay drives approximately $1,864 in visitor spending.
Quality of Life
Tourism makes possible many treasured Carteret County amenities:
- More than 100 locally owned restaurants are ready to serve you year round.
- Our array of amenities continues to grow.
- Our cultural attractions include outstanding museums, the NC Aquarium and many music festivals and art galleries.
- Tourism continues to invest over $450,000 annually in local festivals and events.
- Our public school system is well rated.
- Summer jobs provide both income and life lessons for high school students.
The Future
Tourism’s bright future depends on decisions we make today:
- The length of the tourism season directly impacts its revenue potential in supporting our local business community year-round.
- Negatively impacting a full week of peak tourist season means a loss of more than $2,500,000 to our local businesses.
- Preserving Carteret County’s sense of place is important. So, tourism leaders here are focused not on drawing more visitors during the traditional season, but on creating an economy that makes use of our existing infrastructure year-round.
- Welcoming and valuing tourists is a powerful way of ensuring the continued success of Carteret County
- Residents who build new homes largely use them as second residences and rentals – not living in them full time. This creates less strain on county resources while generating tax income.
Resources
For more information about tourism’s benefits and future, please download our fact sheet.
Join Us
Join us in making sure tourism continues to thrive in Carteret County.
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Thank you for all you do to support tourism and keep Carteret County thriving!