19 Sep Tourism Generates More Than $18M In 2022 To Unicoi County Economy

New data from the State of Tennessee shows an 8% increase in tourist spending.

The 2022 Economic Impact of Travel on Tennessee report reveals tourism in Unicoi County generated $18,089,200 in domestic visitor spending, an 8% increase from 2021. The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development released the new data at the industry’s annual Governor’s Conference in Knoxville, and celebrated growth across all 95 Tennessee counties.

“The impact of our leadership in outdoor adventure continues to pay off for our elected leaders, taxpayers, and our people who are employed through related businesses in Unicoi County,” says Lee Brown, Chairman of the of the Unicoi County Economic Development Board. “Tourism is a major economic engine for our county that is driving new businesses to locate here. We will continue to seek new opportunities to grow our tax base and create new jobs in this important sector.”

“Tennessee is thriving as tourism continues to soar, from our large cities to small towns,” said Mark Ezell, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. “Our industry’s hard work is paying off with record levels of visitor spending and significantly outpacing inflation. It is our privilege to showcase these numbers and express our gratitude to our partners, attractions, elected leaders, and visitors who made a record year for Tennessee.”

BY THE NUMBERS:

• Visitor spending in Unicoi County generated $1,818,600 in state and local tax revenue.
• If it were not for state and local taxes generated by tourism, each Unicoi County household would pay $240 more in state and local taxes.
• Visitor spending also supported 155 jobs in Unicoi

Statewide, Tennessee tourism generated $29 billion in direct visitor spending and saw 141 million visitors to the state in 2022. Tax dollars generated by tourism support important public services like education, healthcare, and safety.