Visitors to Gwinnett spent in excess of $1.2 billion in 2014, and in 2015 filled its hotels to their highest occupancy yet, with year-end use of 72.3 percent. These record-breaking tourism and hospitality figures come from data released recently by the Georgia Department of Economic Development, with analysis handled by the U.S. Travel Association.
In 2014, Gwinnett's tourism industry:
- Generated $1.2 billion in direct travel spending, a 9.4 percent increase over 2013.
- Supported 11,892 jobs, a 5.2 percent increase over 2013.
- Generated $34.5 million in local Gwinnett county tax revenues, an 11 percent increase over 2013.
- Created $44.4 million in Georgia state tax revenues, an 8.7 percent increase over 2013.
Of greater interest to residents, each Gwinnett household received $264 in tax relief per-household as a result of the taxes generated by direct travel spending.
"2015 was an exciting year for the hospitality community in Gwinnett, and we're thrilled to see continued growth and diversification," said Lisa Anders, Gwinnett County Visitors Bureau Executive Director. "Through tourism and hospitality, we're able to not only provide our visitors with a great, memorable experience, but also help support our community fiscally through jobs and reduced taxes."
Gwinnett's quickly growing racial and ethnic diversification is making its own impression on tourism. Earning the moniker, "The Seoul of the South," the county has been influenced by the growing Asian culture in the area. From supermarkets to numerous, diverse restaurants, Gwinnett is offering visitors the opportunity to experience authentic meals and culture from a variety of regions. The Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau, doing business as Explore Gwinnett, now has Korean & Mandarin speakers on staff to support this market.
Tourism is driving economic development in Gwinnett with a diverse mix of facilities including the Infinite Energy Center, over 100 hotels and 50 special event facilities, revitalized downtowns, a strong hotel community and increasing nightlife.
The tourism industry in Georgia is the fifth largest employer in the state. With a total economic impact of $57.1 billion, it supports 425,000 jobs statewide. Taxes of $3 billion were generated by tourism in Georgia in 2014.
Georgia's thriving film industry, which generated over $6 billion in impact in 2015, is also propelling Gwinnett to the forefront of the metro market for film and TV. The development of the Atlanta Media Campus and Eagle Rock TV studios, Gwinnett's designation as a "Camera Ready" community, and the recent announcement of the Georgia Film Academy at Gwinnett Tech further solidify Gwinnett's ascension in the film industry.
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