Tennessee saw 119 million domestic visitors in 2018, up 5.1 percent from 113 million the previous year and hit a record-high $22 billion in domestic and international travel spending. Travelers in Tennessee spend an estimated $60 million per day. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell announced the new economic impact numbers during a press conference Tuesday, August 6, at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. Haywood County experienced a 3.45 percent increase in 2018.

“This week’s announcement makes our Visit Brownsville initiative even more vital,” says Mayor Bill Rawls, “and reinforces the fact that travelers are visiting Brownsville and Haywood County. With Gov. Lee’s focus on rural Tennessee and especially distressed and at-risk counties, the time is right to build and promote our tourism assets.”

According to Visit Brownsville Director Sonia Outlaw-Clark, the statistics show that the economic impact of visitors to Haywood County in 2018 topped $16 million. “Our steady increases over the last decade shows that we are attracting more and more visitors who are not just stopping at the interstate, but venturing into town to experience true small town Southern life.”
A complete county snapshot will be shared at the Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association’s Governor’s Conference in early September.

Tennessee’s growth is outpacing the nation in all areas of travel; including tax revenue, expenditures, payroll and employment.
The report’s findings also show tourism’s value to Tennessee taxpayers. Travel in Tennessee generated 189,757 jobs and $1.81 billion in state and local tax revenue. That is an increase of over $50 million in new state and local tax dollars in 2018 compared to the previous year, approximately $25 million of which supports public education. Without tourism, each Tennessee household would have to pay an additional $712 in taxes each year. Those tax dollars support education, health and human services, public safety, business and economic development.

In 2018, Tennessee ranked number 3, after Pennsylvania and Colorado, for international spending growth over 2017, according to Tourism Economics. International spending growth in Tennessee is 7 times the national average.

“From our thriving cities to our beautiful rural landscapes and everything in between, Tennessee has solidified its place as a leader in tourism across the country,” Lee said. “Our booming tourism sector is outpacing the nation in every category. World-class food, music, and adventure are just a few things folks find when they come to Tennessee, and thankfully, folks are visiting this remarkable place more than ever.”

“Tennessee’s diverse cities and small towns offer quality tourism products and remarkable brands that drive visitation,” said Commissioner Mark Ezell. “We would not have these numbers if it weren’t for renovations, capital investments and passion shown by tourism partners across the state. The record-breaking millions who come here discover the music, history and culture, family experiences and scenic beauty that make Tennessee ‘The Soundtrack of America.’”

Highlights of the report include:
• $22.02 Billion Travel Expenditures, 6% increase (Source: U.S. Travel Association)
• Growth rate was 20% more than the national average of 4.9%
• Travelers in Tennessee spend an estimated $60 million per day.
• 119.37 Million Domestic Visitors, up 5.1% from 113 Million in 2018, the highest growth in the past 6 years.
– Record Setting – 81.3% of visitors were leisure travelers, an increase of 5.5%
– Daily spending per person – $128 (Source: D.K. Shifflet & Associates)
• Tourism generated 189,757 jobs for Tennesseans, a 2.9% percent growth year over year.
• Travel in Tennessee generated $1.81 billion in state and local tax revenue. (Source: U.S. Travel Association)
• Travel generated tax revenue results in $712 in annual state and local tax savings for the average Tennessee household (Source: U.S. Travel Association, U.S. Census Bureau)
• Travel and Tourism is the state’s second largest industry by employment (Source: U.S. Travel Association)
• In 2018, Tennessee ranked number 3, after Pennsylvania and Colorado, for international spending growth over 2017 (Source: Tourism Economics)
• International spending growth is 7 times the national average.
• 5.4% TN vs 0.8% U.S.
• All 95 counties saw an increase in domestic travel spending
• Each county saw more than $1 million in direct travel expenditures in the economic impact of tourism. (Source: U.S. Travel Association)

In response to Governor Lee’s first executive order to better serve rural Tennessee, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development received state budget funding to create the Office of Rural Tourism and Outreach, led by Assistant Commissioner Melanie Beauchamp. The new office will provide outreach and resources specifically to help at-risk and distressed counties.

The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development works with the Tennessee Tourism Committee, local convention and visitors’ bureaus, chambers of commerce, city and county leaders, tourism attractions and the hospitality industry in all 95 counties to help bring travelers to the state.

CAPTION: Tennessee Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell greets state Rep. Johnny Shaw and Visit Brownsville’s Sonia Outlaw-Clark during an August 6 press conference to announce the economic impact of tourism in Tennessee. The new report shows Haywood County experienced more than a three percent increase in 2018. Photo credit: Bill Hickerson