Gov. Bill Haslam and Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Kevin Triplett announced Tennessee tourism’s direct domestic and international travel expenditures reached an all-time record high of $19.3 billion in 2016, up 4.7 percent over the previous year, as reported by the U.S. Travel Association.
Out of the 95 Tennessee counties, DeKalb County had the second-highest percentage increase.
The Governor’s announcement showed visitors spending a total of $44.99 million in DeKalb County, an increase of 5.4 percent compared to the previous year, generating a total of $2.69 million in state and $6.04 million in local tax revenues, increases of 7.2 percent and 6.0 percent respectively. A total of 320 DeKalb countians are employed in tourism-related fields. These figures place DeKalb County third in total travel-related expenditures in the Upper Cumberland region, behind only the much larger Putnam and Cumberland counties.
Chamber Executive Director Suzanne Williams was thrilled when she received the report.
 “The economic impact of tourism on DeKalb County is huge. We are  so fortunate to have Center Hill Lake, Edgar Evins State Park, Appalachian Center for Craft, and our many diverse businesses that fuel our tourism revenues including our annual events such as the Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree and Crafts Festival, DeKalb County Fair, Off the Beaten Path Studio Tour, and other local music and art events. Our small-town charm, friendly people, and scenic beauty make DeKalb County a desirable place to live, work, play, and raise a family and all these factors keep our visitors coming back year after year,” Williams said.
More recently, the Great American Eclipse brought in tourist dollars from across the state and the country. More than one visitor commented on local appeal.
“We would like to thank the wonderful people of DeKalb County especially Smithville for their Southern hospitality,” Don and Teresa Mosley of Elkton, TN, commented online to the Smithville Review. “My wife, my grandchildren and I had a great time at your downtown eclipse event. Thank you all so much! “
Event promoters of WakeFest, now located on Center Hill Lake, reported an ever increasing number of fans every year, which also translated to tourism dollars in local spending.
RiverWatch Golf Club attracted the AJGA Junior tournament a world-class competition this year that had 78 golfers from 12 states and four foreign countries, ages 12-19, competing in the 54-hole, stroke-play tournament.
The second annual DeKalb County Women’s Expo was held in May at the DeKalb Community Complex. From the latest health and wellness products to today’s hottest cosmetics, skin care and fashion lines; the expo is not just an event, it is an experience.
Brought to you by the Smithville Review and sponsored by St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital, the event drew people from surrounding counties.