As a gateway to the Smoky Mountains, Blount County ranked eighth among Tennessee’s 95 counties in 2023 visitor expenditures at $576.1 million, a six-percent increase from $543.9 million in 2022, according to the Economic Impact of Travel on Tennessee Counties report issued by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and Gov. Bill Lee.
On an average day, visitor spending generated $1.6 million in daily expenditures, $577,881 in daily labor income and $63,822 in daily local tax collections. In total, visitor spending in Blount County generated $23.3 million in local tax revenue meaning that each household in the county saw a $1028 annual tax savings. That is up from $987 the previous year.
Davidson County, which includes the city of Nashville, topped all county indices with $10.8 billion in tourism economic impact. Shelby County was second at $4.2 billion, Sevier third at $3.9 billion, Knox was fourth at $2.0 billion and Hamilton fifth at $1.7 billion. Williamson County entered in sixth with $1.3 billion and Rutherford County was seventh at $772.9 million. Montgomery and Wilson counties at $385.6 and $374.3 million, respectively, round out the top 10.
“It’s wonderful to witness the ongoing growth of the tourism industry throughout the state, especially here in Blount County, where we’ve experienced record-high visitor spending,” said Kim Mitchell, Director of the Smoky Mountain Tourism Development Authority. “As the leisure and hospitality industry stands as the state’s third-largest employer, it’s crucial that we keep promoting our region, which offers abundant outdoor activities and a wide range of dining and lodging choices.”
Tourism employment in the county was at an all-time high of 4,843 which also led to an all-time high payroll of $210.9 million.
State tax receipts for the county totaled $31.7 million, marking the eighth consecutive year of reaching at least $20 million.
Overall, Tennessee tourism generated $30.6 billion in domestic and international travel spending, a 25% increase of two years. Tennessee visitors spent $84 million each day in 2023 as 144 million visitors trekked across the state in 2023 according to recently released economic impact data from U.S. Travel Association and Tourism Economics. It also marks the largest visitor spending nationally in Tennessee’s history. Travel and tourism is the third largest employer in the state.
Visitor spending sustained 191,522 direct jobs, one of every 24 in the state.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell highlighted efforts to continue the industry’s strong growth.
“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.”
“Tennessee tourism is soaring, leading to benefits to Tennesseans,” said Mark Ezell, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. “Thanks to our destination marketing organizations across the state, in addition to our leisure and hospitality businesses in this amazing accomplishment. The record growth is a testament to the strength, resilience, determination and efforts of our people and the work of our industry in bringing visitors to enjoy why Tennessee Sounds Perfect.”