ATLANTA — Georgia set a new tourism record last year for the second straight year in a row, Gov. Brian Kemp said in a release on Tuesday.
The governor hailed the Peach State maintaining a No. 5 market share ranking among all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
According to the release, 171 million international and domestic visitors came to Georgia in 2023, five million more visitors than in 2022.
“Georgia continues to grow as a top destination for travelers and businesses alike,” Gov. Kemp said in a statement. “We’ve seen unprecedented visitation across all regions of the Peach State over the last couple years, a testament to the unique attractions, natural resources, and cultural institutions that make Georgia such a desirable place to visit. We're grateful for all our tourism partners statewide who support jobs in communities in all four corners of Georgia.”
The governor's release said travelers spent $43.6 billion on hotels, restaurants, transportation and other local businesses when they came to Georgia in 2023, also beating a 2022 record by nearly $4 billion.
The state says tourism generated $5 billion in tax revenues for 2023, a $300 million and 7.2% increase over 2022.
“Tourism is one of Georgia’s largest economic contributors, supporting jobs and generating tax revenues that benefit local communities from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Golden Isles,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson. “These numbers are the latest confirmation that our partnership approach to economic development across all industries – including tourism – is putting Georgia on travelers’ minds like never before. I’m proud of our tourism industry’s commitment to excellence and innovative strategies that drive economic benefits to every corner of the state.”
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