Tennessee – Tennessee’s tourism sector reached new heights in 2024, generating $31.7 billion in direct visitor spending and attracting 147 million visits, according to data released by Tourism Economics and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.
The industry continues to be a key economic driver across all 95 counties, contributing $3.3 billion in state and local tax revenue. This revenue effectively saves each Tennessee household an average of $1,170 annually.
Governor Bill Lee praised the sector’s growth, highlighting its role in creating jobs, supporting small businesses, and delivering strong returns on public investments. “I’m proud of the investments we’ve made to drive intentional growth, and welcome visitors from around the world to experience Tennessee’s urban cities and small towns from Memphis to Mountain City,” Lee said.
Mark Ezell, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, credited the tourism and hospitality industry for the record results. “The Tennessee Tourism team has been able to leverage bigger tourism budgets to help grow visitor spending over 35% in these last six years,” Ezell said. “We are leading the nation as one of just a few states that are aggressively growing tax revenue from non-Tennessee residents to benefit all seven million Tennesseans.”
Key highlights from the 2024 tourism impact report include:
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A 3.3% year-over-year increase in direct visitor spending, reaching $31.7 billion
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35.5% growth since 2018, more than double the national average of 16.7%
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Daily visitor spending averaged $87 million
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$3.3 billion generated in state and local tax revenue, saving residents $1,170 each year
International travel saw significant growth as well, with a 12.0% increase in international visitor spending. Each international visitor spent an average of $1,278—nearly six times more than a domestic visitor.
The figures do not yet account for the 2025 launch of new direct flights from Iceland and Ireland, which are expected to boost European visitation further.