Visitors to Tennessee spend whopping $30B in 2023

Tourism to the state of Tennessee continues to reach unprecedented levels, from Graceland to Dollywood and Music City in between.

In 2023, direct visitor spending totaled a record-breaking $30.6 billion, according to newly-released data from the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. Last year's spending was up 6.2% from the year prior. An estimated 144 million people visited the state in 2023.

According to information released in May by the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp., Nashville's direct visitor spending alone brought in $10.56 billion from about 16.8 million visitors. Major tourism destinations across the state include Graceland in Memphis, which welcomes 500,000 visitors annually and Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, which is one of the highest-rated destinations in the world.

Gov. Bill Lee said in a statement that Tennessee reaps the benefits of tourism from increased sales tax revenue.

"Tourism boosts local economies, supports businesses and jobs, funds public services and creates a better quality of life for all Tennesseans," he said. "We welcome visitors from around the world to experience Tennessee's music, scenic outdoor beauty, culture and food from Mountain City to Memphis."

The visitor spending estimate came from the state's 2023 Economic Impact of Travel report, which will be released in full next month. According to the report, 2023 visitor spending generated $3.2 billion in state and local tax revenues.

Furthermore, the report estimates each Tennessee household would have to pay an additional $1,160 in taxes each year without tourism. Visitor spending sustains one in every 24 jobs statewide.

Mark Ezell, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, said the record-breaking direct visitor spending is an "amazing accomplishment" for the state's leisure and hospitality businesses, and for the marketing organizations that bring visitors in.

“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,'" he said in a statement, referencing the department's marketing campaign.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Visitors to Tennessee spend whopping $30B in 2023