Sullivan County’s tourism industry generated $329,912,000 in domestic visitor spending, a 9% increase over 2021, according to the Tennessee Tourism Development Agency.
State officials recently released the new data at the industry’s annual Governor’s Conference in Knoxville and celebrated growth across the 95 counties. Sullivan County ranked 11th out of Tennessee’s 95 counties.
“Tourism plays a vital role in boosting Sullivan County’s local economy,” said County Executive Richard Venable, “especially as a source of tourist-generated revenue, which helps fund our school system and keeps property taxes as low as possible.”
Sullivan County and its cities are poised for continued tourism growth, the mayor said. “It’s only going to go up from here.”
Tourist spending in the county generated $33,594,200 in state and local tax revenue, according to the report.
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The report said tourism will employ 2,581 people in 2022, generating $80,214,100 in income.
Tourism spending in Sullivan County has remained stable in recent years, except for a decline in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A total of $290 million was spent in 2018, $310 million in 2019, $230 million in 2020, and $210 million in 2021.
According to the report, in 2022 there were 774,234 overnight visitors and 1,181,664 day visitors.
Tennessee Tourism Development Director Mark Ezell said the state is thriving with a surge in tourism from big cities to small towns.
“Our industry’s hard work is paying off as visitor spending hit record levels and significantly outpaces inflation,” Ezell said. “It’s an honor for us to release these numbers and thank our partners, attractions, elected leaders and visitors for what has been a record year for Tennessee.”
Without state and local taxes generated by tourism, each Sullivan County household would pay $501 more each in state and local taxes, according to a news release.
“Tourism is exploding across the state,” said Matt Boras, executive director of Explore Bristol. “As a travel destination, Sullivan County offers everything you could want and these incredible numbers prove it. We work hard to tell our story and provide a positive experience for our visitors, and we live in one of the friendliest and most hospitable regions in the country, which is just another reason people visit and keep coming back.”
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