This week is National Tourism and Travel Week. During this period of staying home, the travel industry is suffering a pretty major loss. In a popular destination like Chattanooga, this is particularly concerning – in 2019, the tourism industry accounted for a $1.16 billion impact on the regional economy.

The Chattanooga Choo Choo, a popular place to stay while visiting the city. | Photo by NOOGAtoday

It’s still too soon to tell exactly how much the pandemic will affect tourism in the coming months, but — with help from our friends at Chattanooga Tourism Co. — here’s what we know so far:

○ Between March 14 and April 11 – after we started sheltering at home and before area hotels were used for tornado victim shelters – the average occupancy rate of Chattanooga’s hotels dropped by 67.7%.

○ Revenue per available room in area hotels has dipped down by 82%. For example, during the week of April 4 last year, a room generated about $83 in revenue. In 2020, that week saw about $15 in revenue per room.

○ Unemployment in Chattanooga has significantly increased — more than 10% of the area’s workers have filed for unemployment during the pandemic. Vision Hospitality, the region’s largest hotel chain, laid off 756 employees. The Tennessee Aquarium had to lay off 112 employees.

While the tourism sector is by no means alone in its suffering – this crisis is making an impact on all areas of our community – in honor of National Tourism and Travel Week, we want to challenge our readers to support our fellow Noogans working in that industry in whatever way they can.

This could be an act as simple as grabbing takeout from your favorite restaurant, or shopping locally for a small gift for a friend (or frontline worker). It could also mean planning that staycation you’ve always dreamed about; booking a stay at a local hostel or hotel or buying tickets or gift cards for a local tour or attraction.

Whatever you opt to do, make sure to share it with us by using #NOOGAtoday on social media to spread your positive message.

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