Eliana Willis

More stories

  • 75 Shares149 Views

    in organisations-operators

    Tennessee Tourism out performs the nation

    Tennessee tourism generated $24.2 billion in domestic and international travel spending in 2021, according to recently released economic impact data from U.S. Travel Association and Tourism Economics. It also marks the largest visitor spending nationally in Tennessee’s history. Travelers in Tennessee spend an estimated $66 million per day. Travel in Tennessee generated $1.9 billion in state and local tax revenue. Travel and tourism is also the third largest employer in the state.Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell highlighted efforts to continue the industry’s strong recovery.“Tourism drives economic development and job creation so that every Tennessean can thrive,” said Gov. Lee. “Our decision to prioritize strong recovery has yielded record levels of tourism growth, and we continue to welcome visitors to see all Tennessee has to offer, from the Mississippi River to the Great Smoky Mountains.”“Tennessee is crushing it with the largest visitor spending national market share for Tennesseans in our history,” said Mark Ezell, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. “Tennessee is one of the top travel destinations in the world because of our tremendous assets including our unmatched scenic beauty, diverse cities, and small towns, as well as our world class attractions, music, cultural and historical sites. We’re so grateful to this industry and our partners and blessed visitors come experience these destinations and support local businesses, local restaurants and local lodging and support communities.”Key Highlights from 2021 report:

    • Tennessee tourism generated a record $24 billion in domestic travel spending• Travel and tourism is the third largest employer in TN in 2021• Travelers in Tennessee spend an estimated $66 million per day. Visitor spending in Tennessee increased by 44.4%, year over year. Visitor spending nationally increased by 35.7%, year over year• All 95 counties saw an increase in visitor spending over 2020• 51 counties fully recovered and exceeded their 2019 visitor spending record• Nine counties experienced more than 40% growth in year-over-year travel spending, including Davidson, Cheatham, Sevier, Union, Polk, Grundy, Knox, Blount and Hamilton• Five counties experienced more than 40% growth over 2019 travel spending, including: Cheatham, Union, Lake, Hickman and Meigs• Travel in Tennessee generated $1.9 billion in state and local tax revenue in• Travel-generated tax revenue generated by tourism saved each Tennessee household $755.41 in state and local taxes last yearLeisure & Hospitality Industry Highlights• Leisure & hospitality industries supported 317,000 jobs in 2021, an 8% increase• Leisure & hospitality industries supported 317,000 jobs in 2021, an 8% increase from 2020 and 91% of 2019 levelsfrom 2020 and 91% of 2019 levels• Leisure & hospitality revenues have recovered to record levels and outpaced inflation• Leisure & hospitality employment has returned to pre-pandemic levels but still struggles to keep up with travel demand• Average leisure & hospitality wages have surged as the industry competes for a limited number of workers. Leisure & hospitality wages increased to $17.71 in June 2020, compared to $14.14 in 2020.The 2021 Economic Impact on Travel Report includes county data and comprehensive models of the economic impact of spending by industry. Partners and media can utilize the new online interactive dashboard for the latest state and county information. Economic Impact on Travel Report booklets will be handed out at the Governor’s Conference on Hospitality & Tourism Sept. 28-30 in Memphis.The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development works with the Tennessee Tourism Committee, local convention and visitors’ bureaus, chambers of commerce, city and county leaders, tourism attractions and the hospitality industry in all 95 counties to inspire travel to the state.

    Older
    World Travel Awards winners unveiled at star-studded ceremony in Jamaica

    Newer
    Qatar Tourism launches first office in Tehran to boost World Cup travel More

  • 125 Shares119 Views

    in organisations-operators

    World Travel Awards winners unveiled at star-studded ceremony in Jamaica

    The finest travel brands from across the Americas and the Caribbean have been unveiled at a star-studded Gala Ceremony in Jamaica. The elite of the travel industry assembled for the World Travel Awards (WTA) Caribbean & The America’s Gala Ceremony 2022 to find out who amongst them had been crowned best of the best.
    The red carpet evening, hosted at Sandals Montego Bay, marked the opening leg of the WTA Grand Tour 2022 – an international search for the finest travel and tourism organisations in the world.

    Winners on the night included the paradise island of St. Lucia, which fended off stiff competition to emerge as ‘Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination’, whilst Turks & Caicos was voted ‘Caribbean’s Leading Beach Destination’.  The Bahamas took the title of ‘Caribbean’s Leading Luxury Island Destination’.  Jamaica emerged triumphantly a multiple winner, picking up the ultimate title for ‘Caribbean’s Leading Destination’, along with ‘Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination’ and ‘Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board’.
    From North America, the big winners were Miami Beach which took the highly-coveted title of ‘North America’s Leading City Destination’ with Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority claiming the title of ‘North America’s Leading Tourist Board’, Las Vegas who won the award for ‘North America’s Leading Meeting & Conference Destination’ and New Orleans who claimed the honour of ‘North America’s Leading City Break Destination’.ADVERTISEMENTAcapulco celebrated, winning the top prize for ‘Mexico & Central America’s Leading City Destination’, while Tulum took the title of ‘Mexico & Central America’s Leading Beach Destination’.  Elsewhere, the cutting-edge gastronomy of Peru earnt it the title of ‘South America’s Leading Culinary Destination’ while Ecuador enjoyed a night of huge success with Quito winning the award for ‘South America’s Leading City Destination’ and Guayaquil claiming a hat-trick of honours including the title of ‘South America’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination’.

    Graham Cooke, Founder, WTA, said: “What an incredible evening at the majestic Sandals Montego Bay, Jamaica. WTA had the privilege of recognising the industry’s driving forces from the leading nations from the length and breadth of the Caribbean and Americas regions. As stellar examples of tourism excellence, our winners have helped us to once again raise the collective benchmark”.
    In the hospitality sector, winners included Jamaica’s GoldenEye (‘Caribbean’s Leading Boutique Resort’), Halfmoon (‘Caribbean’s Leading Hotel’), Round Hill Hotel & Villas (‘Caribbean’s Leading Villa Resort’), Beaches Turks & Caicos (‘Caribbean’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort’) and the relentless drive for excellence helped Sandals Resorts International to lift the title of ‘Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand’.
    From The Americas, big winners included Conrad New York Downtown, which claimed the title of ‘North America’s Leading Hotel’, while Malibu Beach Inn Hotel & Spa was named ‘North America’s Leading Boutique Hotel’.  Elsewhere, Gaia Hotel & Reserve took the prize for ‘Mexico & Central America’s Leading Green Hotel’, with Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena winning the award for ‘South America’s Leading Hotel’.
    In the aviation sector, Bahamasair was named ‘Caribbean’s Leading Airline’, whilst Sangster International Airport, Jamaica walked away with ‘Caribbean’s Leading Airport’. Privé Jets won the title of ‘North America’s Leading Private Jet Charter’.
    The next events on the WTA Grand Tour 2022 include Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (Asia & Oceania), Amman, Jordan (Middle East), Mallorca, Spain (Europe) and Nairobi, Kenya (Africa & Indian Ocean).
    Find a full list of winners on the official WTA website. www.worldtravelawards.com

    Older
    Expo City Dubai’s only hotel predicts surge of visitors as site reopens this week

    Newer
    Tennessee Tourism out performs the nation More