GATLINBURG, TN – Tennessee The Governor's Conference on Hospitality and Tourism and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development released individual county statistics including a one-page document which breaks down economic impact showing number of tourism-related jobs, payroll, tax revenue, daily expenditures and the savings to local households.
The eight counties representing Northeast Tennessee generated $800 million economic impact to the region from domestic travel in 2016. On average, a household in Northeast Tennessee saves $251 in taxes due to state and local taxes that are generated by tourism in 2016. With Sullivan and Washington continuously ranking in the top 10 out of all 95 counties in Tennessee, Sullivan County residents would have paid $471.09 more in taxes and Washington County residents would have paid $394.59 more in taxes.
Overall, the tourism industry in Northeast Tennessee supported nearly 7,000 jobs and generated more than $800 million economic impact to the region from domestic travel in 2016. The counties of Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi and Washington had increases in overall economic impact from previous years.
"Each county in our region contributes to tourism and because of that, local residents see tax savings, Executive Director of Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association Alicia Phelps said. Not only do we see the benefits of tourism through tax savings, but the industry also creates jobs. Last year, our region saw a 17.6 percent increase in payroll, as well as 12.6 percent increase in jobs created by tourism."
State and county statistics are provided by the 2016 Economic Impact of Travel on Tennessee Counties Report by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and the U.S. Census Bureau Quick Facts by County.
The Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association, chartered in 1977, is a non-profit tourism agency that serves and supports Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington counties, as well as portions of Southwest Virginia. The organization also serves as one of nine statewide regional tourism organizations recognized by Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.
Individual county statistics: https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/31c66d_7101630019524aef9fee09f1210595b0.pdf
