A Focus on the Positive

Blount County Climbs to Number Six in TN for Visitor Spending 

Matt Murray's Economic View for Blount County 

Blount County Climbs to Number Six in Tennessee for Visitor Spending with Highest Increase in East Tennessee

MARYVILLE, Tenn.-With travel spending of more than $276 million, an 8.8 percent increase over 2006, Blount County is now ranked the number six county in visitor expenditures in the State of Tennessee according to the Travel Industry Association (TIA). Additionally, Blount County claimed the highest increase in tourism spending in East Tennessee, among destinations with annual expenditures of $100 million or more, for the second year in a row, with the 2005-2006 increase at 10.74 percent.
"We have worked hard on creatively approaching tourism promotion, and we have benefitted from those efforts with steady increases in our tourism revenue for the past 10 years" said Herb Handly, executive vice president of tourism for the Smoky Mountain Convention and Visitors Bureau. "This is a vital industry for our community, and we are excited to have moved up to the number six county in tourism expenditures in the state-not a small feat, and one that we can all be proud of."
In other words, the tourism industry in Blount County generated $75.5 million in payroll and 9.39 million on local tax revenue in 2007.
"Blount County can be proud that it has not only built a strong tourism base, but thanks to the strong leadership of Herb and the visitors bureau, it has created a sustainable tourism program that focuses on the heritage, history and culture of our community," said Blount County Mayor Jerry Cunningham. "With the beauty of our area tourism is a natural industry, but we have carefully planned and chosen the type of destination we will be, and I am proud that we are striving to be a destination that focuses on the authenticity of the experience."
Handly credits the success of the SMCVB and the continued tourism growth in Blount County to several things, including a board of directors with the knowledge and leadership to guide the visitors bureau, an ongoing marketing, public relations and advertising plan that continually promotes the county in unique ways, and the visitors bureau's efforts to keep expenses to a minimum.
"We will continue to monitor the tourism industry and do our best to stay ahead of the curve on travel trends and marketing opportunities," said Handly. "We have been a leader in the sustainable tourism effort in Tennessee, and we plan to continue to break new ground and improve our tourism program in ways that both benefit the community and help bring visitors to our area."
Handly believes that with the economy lessening leisure travel, Blount County will continue to see an increase in the business travel market, which has been strong amongst properties around McGhee Tyson Airport. The SMCVB is currently working on a new campaign designed to highlights the business and convention facilities located throughout the county. From traditional airport hotels to luxury cabins nestled in the Smoky Mountains of Townsend, this campaign shows the variety of business accommodations offered in the area.
The top five counties in Tennessee in visitor expenditures are Davidson ($3,991.99 million), Shelby ($3,064.65 million), Sevier ($1,502.10 million), Knox ($796.82 million) and Hamilton ($710.39 million).

Matthew Murray, Professor of Economics and
Associate Director, Center for Business & Economic Research
The University of Tennessee taped in July of 2008