News release

Tourism in Sevier County Generated $3,929,693,370 in Visitor Spending in 2024

Sevier County, Tennessee (August 26, 2025) – Visitors to Sevier County generated $3,929,693,370 in spending in 2024, representing a 2.03 percent increase from 2023, according to newly released data from Tourism Economics and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.

“Tourism has long been the backbone of Sevier County’s economy, and this report shows just how important it is to our community,” said Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters. “The continued growth we are seeing is a credit to the businesses, workers, and organizations that make visitors feel welcome and keep them coming back year after year.”

BY THE NUMBERS*:

  • Direct visitor spending in Sevier County generated $251,693,926 in state tax revenue and $187,210,059 in local tax revenue.
  • If it were not for state and local taxes generated by tourism, each household in Sevier County would pay $11,191 more in state and local taxes.
  • Sevier County ranked 3 among the 95 counties in Tennessee based on visitor spending.

“These numbers reflect what we see every day in Sevier County as families and visitors from across the country are drawn to the beauty of our mountains, the charm of our communities, and the experiences that make this area so special,” said Vice Mayor Bryan McCarter. “Tourism showcases everything that makes Sevier County unique and keeps families coming back year after year.”

“We are proud of how the people of Sevier County come together to welcome visitors and showcase all our community has to offer,” said Angela Atchley, Sevier County Director of Tourism. “From local businesses to attractions and community leaders, everyone plays a part in creating memorable experiences that highlight the beauty and spirit of this area.”

*Research conducted by Tourism Economics, commissioned by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. The data above highlights the impact of visitors within the incorporated and unincorporated areas of Sevier County.

“I am grateful to our amazing tourism and hospitality industry for these remarkable results,” said Mark Ezell, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. “The Tennessee Tourism team has been able to leverage bigger tourism budgets to help grow visitor spending over 36 percent in these last six years. We are leading the nation as one of just a few states that are aggressively growing tax revenue from non-Tennessee residents to benefit all seven million Tennesseans.”

Statewide, Tennessee’s tourism industry broke records for the fourth consecutive year in 2024, generating $31.66 billion in direct visitor spending and welcoming 147 million visitors.

2024 Statewide Highlights:

  • · Tennessee saw a 12% year-over-year increase in international travel spending. This is notable because the report does not consider impacts from new direct flights from Iceland and Ireland added in Spring 2025. Those impacts will not appear until next year’s report.
  • · 74 out of 95 counties saw year-over-year growth.
  • · Tennessee direct visitor spending has grown 36.6% over 2018 compared to the US AVG growth of 17.4% per data from Tourism Economics.

Tourism is a powerful economic driver across all 95 counties, generating $3.3 billion in combined state and local tax revenue. Tourism boosts local economies, supports businesses and jobs, funds public services, and creates a better quality of life for all Tennesseans.

The 2024 Economic Impact on Travel Report analyzes statewide spending and visitation from domestic and international travelers to Tennessee. The report includes methodology used to determine visitor spending, tax generation, job creation and more. The TN Travel Impact Interactive County Dashboard provides instant access to key metrics, statewide and by county, about the economic impact of travel to Tennessee. All data is sourced from the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and Tourism Economics, with national benchmarks provided by U.S. Travel Association.

About Tennessee Department of Tourist Development
The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development (TDTD) is dedicated to driving economic growth and tourism in all 95 counties. TDTD’s global marketing efforts increase visitation to Tennessee, which boosts tax revenue, creates jobs and attracts new investment across the state. Tennessee is a global destination of choice offering visitors world-class music, live entertainment, family-friendly experiences, charming communities, innovative and classic culinary creations, renowned scenic beauty and outdoor adventure—all centered at the crossroads of rich history and unrivaled hospitality. Vacations “sound perfect” in Tennessee. Visit TNvacation.com and follow @TNvacation on social media for travel inspiration.