Tourism in Tennessee hit a record $30.6 billion in direct visitor spending last year, according to new data from Tourism Economics and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development (TDTD).
The figure is up 6.2 percent since 2022. The new record follows two consecutive years of double-digit growth. Overall, tourism in Tennessee has grown 125 percent over 2019 pre-pandemic levels.
“Tennessee tourism is soaring, leading to benefits to Tennesseans,” said Mark Ezell, commissioner of the TDTD. “Thanks to our destination marketing organizations across the state, in addition to our leisure and hospitality businesses in this amazing accomplishment.”
Total visitors to Tennessee topped 144 million last year. That is up 3 million people since 2022. This was pushed by growth in more day visits to the state.
Here are some other highlights from the new data:
• Tennessee tourism generated $30.6 billion in direct visitor spending last year, a 25 percent increase over two years.
• Tennessee visitors spent $84 million each day in 2023.
• Tourist spending generated $3.2 billion in direct state and local tax revenues in 2023.
• Without tourism, each Tennessee household would have to pay an additional $1,160 in taxes each year.
• The state of Tennessee collected $1.9 billion in tax revenues.
• City and county governments collected $1.25 billion in tax revenues.
• Visitor spending sustained 191,522 direct jobs, one of every 24 jobs in the state.
• Employment supported by visitor activity increased 3 percent in 2023, rebounding to 98 percent of pre-pandemic levels.
• Domestic visitor spending is 127 percent recovered to pre-pandemic (2019) levels.
• International visitor spending is 81.6 percent recovered to pre-pandemic (2019) levels.
“When tourism grows, Tennessee reaps the benefit with increased sales tax revenue,” said Gov. Bill Lee. “Tourism boosts local economies, supports businesses and jobs, funds public services, and creates a better quality of life for all Tennesseans. We welcome visitors from around the world to experience Tennessee’s music, scenic outdoor beauty, culture, and food from Mountain City to Memphis.”
More data — including county-level data — will be released next month, the TDT said.