At the Georgia Governor’s Tourism Conference on Jekyll Island, Governor Brian Kemp and the Georgia Department of Economic Development announced that 2022 was a record-breaking year for tourism with the largest number of visitors ever to the Peach State. Nearly 168 million domestic and international visitors spent more than $39 billion in the state, breaking 2019’s record by $2 billion. The total economic impact of the tourism industry was $73 billion, 13 percent higher than last year’s total.
“Thanks to Georgia’s incredible natural wonders, our great small towns with welcoming families, our major cities and attractions, and much more, our tourism industry continues to reach new heights,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “This historic growth is evidence that our pro-business policies are working, allowing us to compete like never before in all four corners of the state. I applaud the hardworking men and women who work in this industry, Explore Georgia, and the Department of Economic Development who made these record-breaking numbers possible.”
More than 440,000 people across the state are employed in the tourism industry, 20,000 more than the previous year. Georgia is fifth amongst the 50 states and Washington D.C. for domestic overnight visits. All these tourism visit resulted in $4.7 billion in state and local tax revenue.
“Tourism is a key part of Georgia’s economic development success story, with benefits that spread across communities in all regions of our state,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “The latest numbers are a testament to Georgia’s dedicated tourism industry professionals who constantly provide the best visitor experience possible, bolstered by the great work Explore Georgia has done to market the state as a top travel destination.”
The GDEcD has been aggressively marketing the state in traditional and new markets, using nearly $6 million across a four year marketing campaign plan. Ad effectiveness studies have shown that the marketing spending has resulted in a return on investment of $35 per marketing dollar.
“The pandemic shut down travel around the globe, but not here,” said GDEcD Chief Marketing Officer Mark Jaronski. “Thanks to the leadership of Governor Kemp, our General Assembly, Commissioner Wilson, and the men and women of our statewide tourism industry, including our state tourism office and expert marketing and communications team, travel to and within Georgia and its ensuing benefits to our state’s economy and Georgians are higher than ever, establishing an unprecedented legacy for years to come.”
The tourism announcement comes the same that Governor Kemp announced another suspension of the state’s gas tax – making it a little easier for those traveling around and into the state. Suspension of the tax saves Georgians – and tourists – 31.2 cents per gallon of gasoline and 35 cents per gallon of diesel fuel (something a trucker is likely to keep in mind if they are nearing the Georgia border and thinking about a stop). The tax was suspended last year from March through December and the savings totaled approximately $1.7 billion.
