Economic Impact for Tennessee Tourism Industry

Gov. Bill Haslam and Commissioner Kevin Triplett Announce $19.3 Billion in Economic Impact for Tennessee Tourism Industry

Gov. Bill Haslam and Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Kevin Triplett announced Tennessee tourism's direct domestic and international travel expenditures reached an all-time record high of $19.3 billion in 2016, up 4.7 percent over the previous year, as reported by the U.S. Travel Association. The announcement was made during a press conference Aug. 22 at the historic Clayborn Temple in Memphis.

The event was attended by representatives from the Tennessee General Assembly, city and county elected officials, many tourism leaders and stakeholders, and representatives of the media.

For the 11th consecutive year, tourism topped $1 billion in state and local sales tax revenue, reaching $1.7 billion. This marks a 6.7 percent increase over 2015, higher than the national growth of travel-related state and local tax revenues. Tourism generated 176,500 jobs for Tennesseans, a 3.3 percent growth year over year. Five counties exceeded one billion in travel expenditures including Davidson ($5.996 billion), Shelby ($3.335 billion), Sevier ($2.217 billion), Hamilton ($1.060 billion), and Knox ($1.056 billion). All 95 counties saw more than $1 million in direct travel expenditures in the economic impact of tourism and 19 counties saw more than $100 million. Ninety-two counties saw an increase in year over year tourism expenditures.