Tourism multi-million dollar county industry

Cocke County Tourism Director Linda Lewanski discussed tourism in the county at a recent Kiwanis Club of Newport meeting. She pointed out Cocke County is one of three contiguous counties — Blount, Sevier and Cocke — that join the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). While Townsend, which is in Blount County, is known as the “Peaceful Side of the Smokies” she pointed out the brand for Cocke County is the “Adventure Side of the Smokies.”

Based on the numbers from 2022, Cocke County invested $122,000 into tourism and tourism sales brought in $66,524,000 from direct visitor spending according to Lewanski. She reported tourism local tax totals for 2022 were $2,697,000.

Based on those totals, Lewanski said tourism saved every household in Cocke County $438. She also pointed out tourism created 452 jobs in 2022. She said that rafting plays a significant role in the county’s tourism, and some rafting companies have extended their rafting season from April until November while the regular season is from May until Labor Day. She said some rafting companies have added other attractions, such as ziplines.

While tourism focuses on all four seasons, she said spring and fall are the best when it comes to tourists visiting the area.

When tourists shop, eat, participate in activities or stay in the area, the county receives sales tax revenue. That sales tax revenue is used to fund law enforcement, fire departments, roads, the senior center and other necessities around the county, she said.

“Tourism includes buying gas, rafting, lodging, dining at restaurants and other activities,” Lewanski explained.

Tourism falls under the Cocke County Partnership, which serves as an umbrella organization. There are four departments under the Partnership and those are economic development, tourism, the chamber of commerce and C-5. The offices are located in the historic Tanner School building. The city has a visitor center, which is located downstairs in the building. Funding for the Partnership comes from the county, the City of Newport and the Town of Parrottsville.

Cocke County has three rivers, and has the GSMNP, Cherokee National Forest, whitewater rafting, Douglas Lake, the East Tennessee Wilderness Road Scenic Byway and the I-40 gateway, all of which bring visitors to the area, Lewanski said.

Visitors come to hike the Appalachian Trail or drive White Lightning Trail or Sunny Side Trail or Rocky Top Trail. There are also visitors who come for the historic interest, such as the local role in the Civil War and the Overmountain Men who fought in the American Revolution.

A couple of the more popular events are Celebrating Cosby and the Overmountain Road Rally, she pointed out.

In Cocke County, the outdoor recreation economy grew 4.8% in 2022, which was higher than the national increase of 1.9%. The Foothills Parkway had 250,000 visitors travel along it during 2022, she added.

To help tourism in Cocke County, she asks people like the tourism Facebook page, Adventure Side of the Smokies. She also encourages people to volunteer for events, contribute content and attend an event and post pictures and use hashtags to draw attention to local tourism.

The county tourism website is yallvisitthesmokies.com.