Maryville, Tenn. – National Tourism Week got kicked off in a big way in Blount County as Tennessee Commissioner of Tourist Development Susan Whitaker delivered a proclamation before a breakfast gathering of elected officials, tourism ambassadors, lodging representatives and restaurateurs.
Monday, May 5 was deemed national tourism day for Blount County by Gov. Bill Haslam and the state senate. Blount County Mayor Ed Mitchell along with the mayors of Maryville, Alcoa and Townsend also had proclamations for tourism day.
“The reason we have the growth of Tennessee tourism is because of Tennessee and the people in Tennessee,” said Whitaker. “It is the best place to live and visit from one end to the other. We have so many types of destinations.”
Sen. Doug Overbey echoed Whitaker’s statement while delivering the economic impact for tourism on the state.
“Over the past four years tourism has meant $16.2 billion in economic activity in our state and over $1 billion in state and local tax revenue,” said Overbey. “Susan Whitaker has been the motivating factor behind our trails and bikeways projects and many other initiatives to bring people to the state.”
Whitaker went further by stating that the sales tax revenue generated from tourism helps pay for essential services and Tennessee is “getting a great 19 to 1 return on the investment dollars that we are spending at the state level to get people to our destinations.”
She added that Blount County gets a $312 million tax expenditure from visitors.
“All you have to do is get visitors here one time and they will come back,” said Whitaker. “It’s truly an extraordinary place. If we get more visitors and get them to stay longer; they will spend more money.”