A 6.5 percent increase in tourism was seen in DeKalb County in 2014, and the state's direct domestic and international travel expenditures from tourism reached an all-time high of $17.7 billion in 2014, up 6.3 percent.
The latest Economic Impact of Travel on Tennessee report reveals that travel-related expenditures for DeKalb County topped $41 million last year, and that tourism created 270 jobs in DeKalb County with over $7 million in payroll, $5.37 million in local tax receipts, and $2.29 million in state tax receipts. Executive Director of the Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce Suzanne Williams said she is excited by the news.
"We have been working hard to break the $40 million mark, and it has finally happened," Williams said. "The economic impact of tourism on DeKalb County is huge. We are so blessed to have Center Hill Lake, Edgar Evins State Park, and the Appalachian Center for Craft, as well as great events such as the Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree and Crafts Festival, Off the Beaten Path Studio Tour, DeKalb County Fair, and other local music and art events. The small town charm, friendly people, and scenic beauty that you find all across the county keep people coming back and make it a desirable place to live, work, play, raise a family, and retire."
Governor Bill Haslam and Commissioner Kevin Triplett, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, announced during a special event at the Ryman Auditorium last week that Tourism-generated jobs for Tennesseans reached 152,900 in 2014, an increase of 2.8 percent. State and local sales tax revenue for the industry topped $1.5 billion, up 7 percent over 2013, and the ninth consecutive year tourism topped $1 billion, according to the latest statistics from the 2014 Economic Impact of Travel on Tennessee as reported by U.S. Travel Association.
For the first time in history, travel to Tennessee topped 100 million, achieving 101.3 million person stays, a 5.1 percent increase over 2013. International travel increased 8.4 percent, reaching $576.5 million in economic impact. All 95 counties in Tennessee had more than $1 million in direct travel expenditures, 19 counties saw more than $100 million, and three counties, Davidson, Shelby and Sevier, had more than $1 billion in economic impact. Knox and Hamilton Counties round out the Top 5 with nearly $1 billion in economic impact. Tennessee is ranked in the Top 10 destinations in the U.S. for total travel.
"This increase in tourism across the board is a result of the strategic work of Tourist Development, the Tourism Committee, and the entire tourism and hospitality industry," Haslam said. "We want Tennessee to be a place people from all over the world want to visit. The data shows that’s happening, and more jobs and $1.5 billion in sales tax revenue is good news for every Tennessean."
Tennessee’s customer satisfaction landed at an impressive 8.5 out of 10. The satisfaction scores are greater than those of the average U.S. destination.
"Tourists are drawn to Tennessee for our world-renowned music, outstanding attractions, stunning scenic beauty," Triplett said. "But, at the end of the day, people keep coming to Tennessee for our authenticity and exceptional, Southern hospitality. That is the ‘made in Tennessee’ brand delivered to our visitors every day by our communities and partners."
DeKalb County ranked second in the Upper Cumberland region in tourism growth behind Putnam County, which had a 7.6 percent increase. Visitors to the Upper Cumberland Region spent $377.34 million in 2014, up from $359.62 the year before. Payroll increased 2.6 percent. Tourism-generated jobs for Tennesseans reached 152,900, an increase of 2.8 percent. State and local sales tax revenue for the industry topped $1.5 billion, up 7 percent over 2013, and for the ninth consecutive year tourism topped $1 billion.
Counties Expenditures 2014 (in millions):
•Cannon $3.96
•Clay $6.69
•Cumberland $106.62
•DeKalb $41.16
•Fentress $12.26
•Jackson $2.22
•Macon $7.41
•Overton $7.36
•Pickett $7.45
•Putnam $117.99
•Smith $11.54
•Van Buren $8.88
•Warren $23.11
•White $20.69.