In Virginia Beach, we love our sunshine.

We love the water, salt air and blue skies. We love our 24/7 playground. It's our chance to cut loose and live the life.

When we share these gifts, we get a $78.4 million gift in return. Tourism put $78.4 million in tax revenue into the Virginia Beach budget last year, some of which was used to help pay for things like libraries, schools, emergency services and road repair. On top of that, there are all the shops, restaurants and special events that tourism helps put within our reach. That’s money we’d have to come up with ourselves. That’s the gift of tourism.