Tourists spending more money in Memphis; no. 2 in TN

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — 2023 was yet another record year in visitor spending for Tennessee, and new data shows how much tourists are spending in Shelby County.

Shelby County ranks No. 2 in visitor spending at $4.2 billion, right behind Davidson County, home to Nashville. That’s a 5% jump from the previous year, according to state data. More than 28,000 local jobs are tired to visitor spending.

“We draw people from all over the world for lots of different reasons,” said Kevin Kane, president of Memphis Tourism.

Kane says tourist dollars also help locals.

“Those $4.2 billion that are spent in Shelby County, generate $1 million in taxes that helps fuel everything good for Memphis and Shelby County,” he said.

In 2023, visitors to Shelby County generated $1,166 in tax savings per household through state and local tax collections, the state said.

This graph shows the rebound since the pandemic.

“They are still coming, they are still traveling, which is good for our industry,” Kane said.

This graphic breaks down where all that money is going — mostly to food and transportation.

Kane says the data is proof that crime is not keeping people away.

“Crime is a concern all over country,” he said. “Fortunately, 13-and-a-half million visitors made their way here and those numbers continue to grow, and it’s our job to keep them coming.”

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