SEVIERVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam announced on Tuesday the state’s tourism impact reached an all-time high of $18.4 billion in 2015.
The figure is an increase from the $17.7 billion spent in 2014.
“More travelers from around the world are visiting Tennessee each year,” Haslam said.
Haslam and state Tourist Development Commissioner Kevin Triplett made the announcement Tuesday morning outside of the Sevier County Courthouse.
According to a state release, tourism-generated jobs for Tennessee reached 157,400, which an increase from 152,900 jobs in 2014.
A total of 19 Tennessee counties drew more than $100 million. Five counties – Davidson ($5.69 billion), Shelby ($3.20 billion), Sevier ($2.03 billion), Hamilton ($1.02 billion) and Knox ($1.01 billion)– had more than $1 billion in economic impact. (continue reading)