The four covers of the 2023 Explore Georgia Guide
This month, joined by Gov. Brian Kemp, the state’s tourism office, Explore Georgia, unveiled this year’s Explore Georgia Official State Travel Guide. The free publication is a showcase of tourism hotspots – and some overlooked spots – with a mission to inspire across the state. This year’s edition features four different covers that highlight different regions across the state: Providence Canyon State Park in Lumpkin, Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawsonville, Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island and Savannah’s Waterfront.
“In every corner of Georgia, residents and visitors alike can find memorable experiences that will keep them coming back,” said Governor Kemp. “This year’s travel guide does an excellent job highlighting the sights and people that make the Peach State such a welcoming place. Thank you to our Explore Georgia team, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, and the hardworking tourism professionals throughout our state who created this valued resource, which I’m confident will inspire new and repeat visitors alike to find exciting new experiences their families will cherish for years to come.”
While numbers for 2022 are still being tallied, tourism’s impact on the economy in the still very much Covid-impacted 2021 totaled more than $65 billion that year, with more than 400,000 jobs supported by the industry. The state welcomed 160 million visitors that year (in-state travelers count as well), with more than $34 billion in direct visitor spending. The resulting state and local tax revenue from all these spenders was more than $4 billion. As Covid fades further into the background for many Americans, travel is returning in a big way.
“When Georgians and visitors alike set out to enjoy that beauty and create memories, they support businesses across the state, generating jobs and tax revenues that benefit our communities, while experiencing a Georgia hospitality that will welcome them back again and again,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson. “Many thanks to our Explore Georgia team for their dedication to promoting our state’s tourism offerings through visitor-driven strategies, including the travel guide. It plays a key role in marketing Georgia as a top travel destination and driving economic impact into local communities in every corner of the state.”
Across the 125 pages of content, more than 75 percent of it is outside metro Atlanta (note none of the four covers are in the metro Atlanta region). The publication is a must for Georgia lovers, with facts and stories about destinations from the historic to luxury variety. This year’s edition also features QR codes which connects readers to more information about sites on the Explore Georgia website.
“Finding ways to better serve visitors’ interests and grow this year’s travel guide during a period of record inflation nationwide required innovation, creativity, and courage,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Deputy Commissioner for Tourism Mark Jaronski. “The 2023 travel guide features more in-depth storytelling than ever before and increased distribution in new places like the Georgia Aquarium and LakePoint Sports. This growth will advance our goals of driving ever-increasing levels of visitation and visitor spending across our state in the years to come.”
