Tennessee Tourism By The Numbers

Chase Rice plays to packed crowds at CMA Music Festival 2015. The fest generated a record $46.8 million in direct visitor spending, an increase of $7.5 million over last year, according to NCVC. Daily attendance was record-setting 87,680 fans, besting 2014 by 9.6 percent. Photo: CMA

Nashville Tourism By The Numbers

The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp (NCVC) has shared new statistics about 2014:

$5.43 billion—direct visitor spending in Davidson County in 2014, compared to $4.99 billion in 2013

31.5 percent—percentage of Tennessee’s total visitor spending which happens in Nashville

13.1 million—total visitation to Nashville in 2014, up from 12.2 million in 2013

$259.17 million—state tax revenue generated by direct visitor spending for 2014, up 10.4 percent

$137.41 million—local tax revenues, up 8.8 percent

57,400—Davidson County employs in tourism-related fields

$49,882,792—hotel occupancy tax collections, up 24.1 percent over 2013

“In 2003 we set a goal, to be a $5 billion a year industry by 2015. To realize we have reached that goal one year early is incredibly exciting,” said Ken Levitan, chairman of the NCVC board of directors. “We should celebrate our accomplishments, but our next challenge will be maintaining that level of success by continuing to allow our product to evolve while protecting our authenticity. I have no doubt we can continue our success if we work together as an industry and as a community.”

The NCVC attributes Nashville’s success as a destination to signature events such as the CMA Music Fest, Bonnaroo, New Year’s Eve and Fourth of July celebrations, as well as reaching new audiences via strategic partnerships with Bon Appetit, Sports Illustrated and GQ, and new offerings such as the Music City Center, Music City Food + Wine, Live on the Green and Ascend Amphitheater.

Tennessee Tourism By The Numbers

Additionally, Governor Bill Haslam and Commissioner Kevin Triplett, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, announced state-wide statistics, according to the 2014 Economic Impact of Travel on Tennessee as reported by U.S. Travel Association:

$17.7 billion—direct domestic and international travel expenditures in 2014, up 6.3 percent, an all-time high for the state

152,900—tourism-generated jobs for Tennesseans, up 2.8 percent

$1.5 billion—state and local sales tax tourism revenue, up 7 percent

101.3 million—people who traveled to Tennessee, up 5.1 percent increase, topping 100 million for the first time

3—number of counties (Davidson, Shelby, Sevier) receiving more than $1 billion in economic impact

Top 10—Tennessee is one of the Top 10 destinations for U.S. travel

8.5 out of 10—Tennessee’s customer satisfaction rating

“Tourists are drawn to Tennessee for our world-renown 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.”