Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • Home
    • About Us
    • Digital Subscription
    • Advertisement
    • Contact Us
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    The Tennessee TribuneThe Tennessee Tribune
    Advertise With Us
    • Home
      • COVID-19 Resource Center
        • Dr. Henry Louis Gates’ PSA Radio
      • Featured
    • News
      • State
      • Local
      • National/International News
      • Global
      • Business
        • Commentary
        • Finance
        • Local Business
      • Investigative Stories
        • Affordable Housing
        • DCS Investigation
        • Gentrification
    • Editorial
      • National Politics
      • Local News
      • Local Editorial
      • Political Editorial
      • Editorial Cartoons
      • Cycle of Shame
    • Community
      • History
      • Tennessee
        • Chattanooga
        • Clarksville
        • Knoxville
        • Memphis
      • Public Notices
      • Women
        • Let’s Talk with Ms. June
    • Education
      • College
        • American Baptist College
        • Belmont University
        • Fisk
        • HBCU
        • Meharry
        • MTSU
        • University of Tennessee
        • TSU
        • Vanderbilt
      • Elementary
      • High School
    • Lifestyle
      • Art
      • Auto
      • Tribune Travel
      • Entertainment
        • 5 Questions With
        • Books
        • Events
        • Film Review
        • Local Entertainment
      • Family
      • Food
        • Drinks
      • Health & Wellness
      • Home & Garden
      • Featured Books
    • Religion
      • National Religion
      • Local Religion
      • Obituaries
        • National Obituaries
        • Local Obituaries
      • Faith Commentary
    • Sports
      • MLB
        • Sounds
      • NBA
      • NCAA
      • NFL
        • Predators
        • Titans
      • NHL
      • Other Sports
      • Golf
      • Professional Sports
      • Sports Commentary
      • Metro Sports
    • Media
      • Video
      • Photo Galleries
      • Take 10
      • Trending With The Tribune
    • Classified
    • Obituaries
      • Local Obituaries
      • National Obituaries
    The Tennessee TribuneThe Tennessee Tribune
    Tennessee

    Tennessee Tourism Outperforms the Nation With Record $24 Billion in Domestic Travel Spending in 2021

    Article submittedBy Article submittedAugust 30, 2022No Comments4 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram Pinterest Tumblr Reddit Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TN Tribune) – Tennessee tourism generated $24.2 billion in domestic and international travel spending in 2021, 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. Travelers in Tennessee spend an estimated $66 million per day. Travel in Tennessee generated $1.9 billion in state and local tax revenue. Travel and tourism is also the third largest employer in the state.

    Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell highlighted efforts to continue the industry’s strong recovery.

    “Tourism drives economic development and job creation so that every Tennessean can thrive,” said Gov. Lee. “Our decision to prioritize strong recovery has yielded record levels of tourism growth, and we continue to welcome visitors to see all Tennessee has to offer, from the Mississippi River to the Great Smoky Mountains.”

    “Tennessee is crushing it with the largest visitor spending national market share for Tennesseans in our history,” said Mark Ezell, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. “Tennessee is one of the top travel destinations in the world because of our tremendous assets including our unmatched scenic beauty, diverse cities, and small towns, as well as our world class attractions, music, cultural and historical sites. We’re so grateful to this industry and our partners and blessed visitors come experience these destinations and support local businesses, local restaurants and local lodging and support communities.”

    Key Highlights from 2021 report:

    Tennessee tourism generated a record $24 billion in domestic travel spending

    Travel and tourism is the third largest employer in TN in 2021

    Travelers in Tennessee spend an estimated $66 million per day. Visitor spending in Tennessee increased by 44.4%, year over year. Visitor spending nationally increased by 35.7%, year over year

    All 95 counties saw an increase in visitor spending over 2020

    51 counties fully recovered and exceeded their 2019 visitor spending record

    Nine counties experienced more than 40% growth in year-over-year travel spending, including Davidson, Cheatham, Sevier, Union, Polk, Grundy, Knox, Blount and Hamilton
    Five counties experienced more than 40% growth over 2019 travel spending, including: Cheatham, Union, Lake, Hickman and Meigs

    Travel in Tennessee generated $1.9 billion in state and local tax revenue in 2021

    Travel-generated tax revenue generated by tourism saved each Tennessee household $755.41 in state and local taxes last year

    Leisure & Hospitality Industry Highlights (source: TN Dept. of Revenue & TN Department of Labor & Workforce Development)

    Leisure & hospitality industries supported 317,000 jobs in 2021, an 8% increase from 2020 and 91% of 2019 levels

    Leisure & hospitality revenues have recovered to record levels and outpaced inflation

    Leisure & hospitality employment has returned to pre-pandemic levels but still struggles to keep up with travel demand

    Average leisure & hospitality wages have surged as the industry competes for a limited number of workers. Leisure & hospitality wages increased to $17.71 in June 2020, compared to $14.14 in 2020.

    The 2021 Economic Impact on Travel Report includes county data and comprehensive models of the economic impact of spending by industry. Partners and media can utilize the new online interactive dashboard for the latest state and county information. Economic Impact on Travel Report booklets will be handed out at the Governor’s Conference on Hospitality & Tourism Sept. 28-30 in Memphis.

    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 inspire travel to the state.

    ABOUT TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF TOURIST DEVELOPMENT

    Tennessee is the home of the blues, bluegrass, country, gospel, soul, rockabilly, and rock ‘n’ roll— delivering an unparalleled experience of beauty, history, and family adventure, infused with music that creates a vacation that is the “Soundtrack of America. Made in Tennessee.” Explore more at tnvacation.com and join other Tennessee travelers by following “TNVacation” on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube, and “Tennessee” on Snapchat.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Article submitted

    Related Posts

    New laws to take effect in Tennessee July 1

    June 19, 2025

    Statement from Senate Minority Leader Sen. Raumesh Akbari on the U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision Upholding Tennessee’s Ban on Gender-Affirming Care for Trans Youth

    June 18, 2025

    Nashville Hispanic Chamber Joins U.S. Global Leadership Coalition at 2025 Impact Forum in D.C.

    June 16, 2025

    Tennessee House Democrats Send Condolences to MN Shooting Victims

    June 14, 2025

    Tennessee Department of Human Services Announces Summer Nutrition Initiative Funds Will Reach Underserved Families Starting June 13

    June 9, 2025

    New Tennessee Laws Regarding Healthcare Set To Go Into Effect July 1

    June 3, 2025

    Comments are closed.

    Business

    FUNdraising Good Times Report from Neighborhoods USA Conference in Jacksonville

    June 4, 2025

    Flower Child Restaurant to Open June 24 in Franklin

    June 4, 2025

    FUNdraising Good Times Survival through partnerships, collaborations, and mergers

    May 14, 2025
    1 2 3 … 383 Next
    Education
    Education

    TSU approves 6% tuition hike as part of long-term budget recovery plan

    By adminJune 19, 2025

    NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Tennessee State University students will see a 6% increase in tuition…

    Dr. Shawn Joseph Named PGCPS Interim Superintendent

    June 19, 2025

    Austin Peay students earn nationally competitive Gilman Scholarships to study abroad this summer, fall.

    June 19, 2025

    MTSU Board of Trustees approves tuition, fee increase for new academic year

    June 17, 2025
    The Tennessee Tribune
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • About Us
    • Digital Subscription
    • Store
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact
    © 2025 The Tennessee Tribune - Site Designed by No Regret Media.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Our Spring Sale Has Started

    You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/