Is Georgia on your mind?
The fact that Georgia is one of the nation’s top travel destinations comes as a surprise to many Georgians. Our cities, small towns, coastline and mountain views give Georgia an appeal that rivals world destinations.
With new tourists attractions opening in the next few years, we’ll offer even more activities and destinations for the visitor’s itinerary. Georgia’s tourism industry generated $53.6 billion in business sales including direct, indirect and induced impact in 2013, up 4.5 percent, the largest economic impact for the tourism industry on record.
It’s not just one factor, but a sequence of trends and developments that feed our tourism growth. International travel is growing twice as fast as domestic travel. International visitors stay longer and spend more than domestic visitors, so the international market is a target for us.
Part of the increase is due to Georgia’s great position as a gateway to the rest of the world. Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport remains the world’s busiest airport with hundreds of daily international flights. Many international travelers are making Georgia their first stop during their U.S. visit to experience our global names such as Coca-Cola, Martin Luther King Jr., CNN, “Gone With the Wind,” Centennial Olympic Park and more.
Georgia’s booming film industry also plays a significant role in the increase in visitors. The small town of Senoia, the filming location for 24 television shows and movies — from current hits like “The Walking Dead” and “Footloose” to classics like “Fried Green Tomatoes” and “Driving Miss Daisy” — has witnessed a huge rise in entertainment-related tourism. Destinations from Covington to Savannah to Juliette draw visitors from around the world to see the filming location of their favorite movie or TV show.
Tourism is one of Georgia’s leading economic engines. While it’s important to showcase its economic impact, it is also essential to recognize this industry as a jobs generator. Did you know more than 411,000 Georgia jobs are sustained by tourism? This means 10.2 percent of all jobs in the state rely on tourism. Another positive impact the industry has is that visitor spending generated $2.8 billion in state and local tax revenue in 2013, the equivalent of $770 for every Georgia household.
As more visitors discover the terrific vacation experience Georgia has to offer, our tourism economy will continue to grow. That means increased investment, new jobs and a higher quality of life for all of us who call the state home.
Georgia is a leading travel destination for visitors from around the world. I encourage you to discover what’s in your own backyard. Visit ExploreGeorgia.org to plan a Georgia vacation. Whether it’s checking out our events calendar, planning a weekend getaway or finding a great deal, there is always something new to discover in Georgia.
Kevin Langston is deputy commissioner of tourism for the Georgia Department of Economic Development.
