Visiting Tennessee: How much do tourists spend here? Hint: Guess high

Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean
·2 min read

Tennessee tourism is thriving — paced by Music City.

Thriving to the tune of 141 million visitors to Tennessee in 2022. Visitors last year spent a record $29 billion, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Mark Ezell, the commissioner of the state's Department of Tourist Development, announced Thursday.

Travelers spent an estimated $79 million per day. Tennessee now ranks 11th in the nation for travel spending, its highest ranking ever.

Nashville, meanwhile, experienced an increase in tourism spending, up 35% year-over-year.

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The final report outpaced initial projections revealed in May 2022, which already showed the state setting a record pace. The news was announced Thursday during Lee's conference on hospitality in Knoxville.

Davidson County and the six counties surrounding it enjoyed a 19.5% year-over-year increase in visitor spending.

Without the $2.9 billion in state and local tax revenue, state officials said, Tennessee households would have paid an additional $1,100 in taxes to offset losses.

"Tourism drives a strong economy, creates jobs and builds a better quality of life for all Tennesseans," Lee said. "We continue to welcome visitors to see all Tennessee has to offer, from the Mississippi River to the Great Smoky Mountains."

Sevier County, home to tourist hot-spots Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, saw a 9.4% visitor spending increase.

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Tennessee tourism generated $28.9 billion in direct visitor spending, up 19% from 2021.

The 141 million visitors in 2022 was up 10.5% year-over-year, Lee and Ezell said.

International visitation grew by 278% from 2021 to reach $670 million and closed the gap to 72% of pre-pandemic level spending.

"Tennessee is thriving as tourism is soaring," Ezell said. "Our industry’s hard work is paying off with record levels of visitor spending and significantly outpacing inflation."

Reach reporter Craig Shoup by email at cshoup@gannett.com and on X @Craig_Shoup. To support his work, sign up for a digital subscription to www.tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee tourism sets record with $29 billion in spending