According to figures released by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and the U.S. Census Bureau, Rutherford County saw an increase of $100 million in tourist spending over the past eight years.
During the economic downturn of the past two years, many destinations across the United States struggled to maintain the status quo in terms of visitation and economic impact. Rutherford County was one of few destinations that realized an increase every year.
In 2001, tourists spent $140.15 million in Rutherford County; by 2008, that number jumped to $240.73 million in direct tourist spending, yielding an increase of more than $100 million.
“We have been working very hard to ensure that Rutherford County sees an annual boost in tourist spending,” said Mona Herring, vice president of the Rutherford County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Efforts like the opening of the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center, the new county-wide signage program, our participation in the Civil War Trails, attendance at industry tradeshows and our commitment to the conference and sports markets have not gone unrewarded.”
On an average day in Rutherford County, tourists spend $659,547 in restaurants, hotels, retail stores, entertainment venues and on transportation. This money directly impacts the community—without the money generated by tourism, every household in Rutherford County would have to pay $192 more in state and local taxes, every year. |
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