Tourism In Denver Shattered National Averages In 2014

DENVER (CBS4)- Tourism in Denver shattered the national averages last year. Experts credit popular activities like shopping and entertainment for the big boost.

The results of the new tourism impact study were announced by Visit Denver on Wednesday.

Visitor spending in Denver increased 15 percent from 2013 and brought in a total of $4.6 billion. The number of people visiting rose 13 percent. That's according to the Longwoods International annual visitor profile study, a report commissioned by Visit Denver.

"Record-breaking visitation, record-breaking spending and record-breaking visitor impressions of the city I think are some of the most positive that I think we've had in history," said Visit Denver spokeswoman Cindy Parsons.

Visit Denver credits shopping and entertainment with boosting Denver's tourism numbers (credit: CBS)

Denver outpaced national averages with a record number of overnight visitors in 2014, with 15.4 million vacationers and business travelers coming to the city.

Denver's tourism industry employs more than 90,000 people.