Tennessee had increase in tourism visits last year

NASHVILLE – A new report from Tennessee’s tourism department shows that tourists spent an average of $60 million per day last year.

The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development announced that 119 million domestic visitors swung by the Volunteer State in 2018, up from 113 million the year before.

Gov. Bill Lee and Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell unveiled the numbers at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Tuesday.

The agency says travel in Tennessee generated roughly 189,700 jobs and $1.81 billion in state and local tax revenue. All 95 counties in Tennessee saw an increase in domestic travel spending.

Overall, Tennessee is outpacing the nation in all areas of travel, including tax revenue and expenditures.