Tennessee’s tourism sector witnessed a significant surge in 2022, generating a whopping $29 billion in direct visitor spending, as revealed by the latest data from Tourism Economics.
The state welcomed 141 million visitors last year, marking a notable achievement for its tourism industry.
The announcement was made by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell during the Hospitality TN’s Governor’s Conference on Hospitality and Tourism held in Knoxville. These figures surpassed the preliminary report from May 2022, which had already indicated record-breaking numbers for the state. Remarkably, every one of Tennessee’s 95 counties experienced a rise in visitor spending, with 63 counties outperforming inflation.
Governor Lee commented on the positive impact of tourism on the state’s economy, emphasizing its role in job creation and enhancing the quality of life for Tennesseans. He expressed his enthusiasm in continuing to invite visitors to explore the diverse attractions Tennessee offers.
Commissioner Mark Ezell echoed the sentiment, praising the industry’s efforts that led to record-breaking visitor spending and significantly outpaced inflation. He expressed gratitude to partners, attractions, elected leaders, and visitors for making 2022 a landmark year for Tennessee tourism.
Key Takeaways from the 2022 Economic Impact of Travel Report:
- Direct visitor spending in Tennessee reached $28.9 billion in 2022, marking a 19% increase from the previous year.
- International visitation is on the rise, with spending hitting $670 million, nearing pre-pandemic levels.
- The state welcomed 141 million visitors in 2022, a 10.5% increase from 2021.
- Visitor spending contributed $2.9 billion in state and local tax revenue, saving each Tennessee household from an additional $1,100 in annual taxes.
- Tennessee now ranks 11th nationally for travel spending, marking its highest rank ever.
County Highlights:
- Nashville witnessed a 35% year-over-year increase in visitor spending.
- Sevier Co. maintained its pandemic gains with a 9.4% year-over-year rise.
- Davidson Co. and its six neighboring counties experienced a 19.5% year-over-year surge in visitor spending.
- Several other counties, including Shelby, Tipton, Fayette, Knox, Hamilton, and Tri-Cities, also saw significant year-over-year increases in visitor spending.
The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development collaborates with various stakeholders across all 95 counties to promote travel to the state.
