Support Us Button Widget

A record year: Tennessee raked in $27.5 billion in travel spending in 2022

Tennessee tourism is riding a high, earning recognition as the fastest-growing state and rising to 11th in the nation for travel spending.

Cars sit in traffic on Lower Broadway with honky tonks shown in the background.

Let’s lay on the (air) horn for this accomplishment.

Photo by @joeflo562

Next time you miss the light due to traffic, these numbers might add a fresh perspective. New preliminary data from U.S. Travel and Tourism Economics estimates our state earned $27.5 billion (yes, that’s a “B”) in travel spending last year — a record-high for the state and increase of 14% from 2021.

Out of the 25 highest-ranked states, travel spending moved Tennessee to No. 11 in the nation, previously sitting at No. 14 in 2020. The leisure and hospitality industry is the state’s second-leading industry, employing 350,000+ residents and supplying $1.8 billion in state tax collections in 2022. Read: Nashville’s hefty contribution.

Stay tuned, new county-level data is expected to drop in August.

More from NASHtoday
In the AXS TV show hosted by pro-wrestler Eric Young, special guests like Bobby Bones and Melissa Joan Hart find their top five records at Grimey’s.
Earls will open in late 2025 on the first floor of the forthcoming live music venue, The Pinnacle.
“Live from Nashville, err, New York, it’s Saturday Night!” As comedian Nate Bargatze prepares to host again, we look back at a few Music City connections.
The proposed hotel development on South 5th Street calls for multiple retail spaces, garage parking, and a pool deck.
The annual foodie event is back with 11 participating restaurants serving special menus and discounts from Monday, Sept. 30 through Sunday, Oct. 6.
Put Leiper’s Fork, TN into your GPS and enjoy the scenic drive to local restaurants, peaceful creekside experiences, and more.
The restaurant and coffee shop said goodbye to its Sidco Drive location on Labor Day weekend before preparing the former Harding House Brewing Co. space for its Sept. 26 opening day.
Tell us you’re from Nashville without telling us you’re from Nashville.
Hockey is back — here’s how to stream the games, navigate the schedule like a pro, and cheer on the Nashville Predators this 2024-2025 NHL season.
We’re giving you all the pertinent details about some of the elementary, middle, and high schools in Nashville.