ATLANTA — The chairman of the Senate Economic Development and Tourism Committee this week touted the impact the tourism industry has in the state of Georgia.
“Georgia’s tourism industry is quickly becoming the heart of our state’s economy,” state Sen. Mike Dugan, R-Carrollton, said in a news release. “This industry sustained more than 439,000 jobs and had an economic impact of over $59 billion in 2016, proving that the opportunities for tourism in Georgia are endless. In addition, Georgia was named as a ‘Best Trip’ destination for 2017 by National Geographic, which will undoubtedly add to our state’s tourism industry.”
The State of Tourism Breakfast attendees heard presentations from Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson and Tourism Economics CEO Adam Sacks. Both Wilson and Sacks provided a unique insight into national and Georgia tourism industry trends.
Following the breakfast, tourism partners joined Gov. Nathan Deal to unveil the 2017 Georgia Travel Guide and present a check representing the $3 billion in state and local tax revenue generated from tourism-related expenses.
“Georgia’s tourism industry plays a vital role in our states economic well-being,” Deal said in a news relase. “This crucial sector makes up 10.2 percent of the state’s entire workforce and has a positive effect on nearly every community in Georgia. This success of our tourism industry is a clear indicator that Georgia is on the minds of travelers across the globe.”