Would you believe us if we said tourism is a driving force for economic growth in Hamilton County — supporting over 30,000 jobs + generating more than $70 million in local tax revenue?

The Chattanooga Tourism Co. recently released its 2024 Annual Report, highlighting tourism’s impact on our local economy. You can read the full report online, but here are some of the key takeaways from last year’s findings.

Hamilton County leads Tennessee in hotel room sales, outpacing the state + the nation with a 0.9% year-over-year increase in hotel rooms sold.

Folks are still interested in traveling to Chattanooga and coming back again — 53% of overnight travelers had visited the Scenic City before in the past 12 months. Why this matters? Overnight visitors account for 40% of total visitation + generate 46% of total visitor spending ($707 million in 2023).

These visitors are spending their money on food and beverage, transportation, accommodations, recreation, and retail — aka supporting local businesses + state and local tax revenue. This saves every Hamilton County household $1,205 annually.

“Every dollar spent by a visitor in Hamilton County is a dollar directly invested in our local economy,” said Chattanooga Tourism Co. CEO Barry White. “Chattanooga’s tourism growth speaks volumes about its appeal, our community partnerships, and the welcoming spirit of our people.”

Bonus: Keep scrolling through the report to see Chattanooga Tourism Co.’s partners, productivity numbers, event recaps + how it invests locally.