Tourism in Madison County generated $348,798,681 in visitor spending in 2024

TOURISM IN MADISON COUNTY GENERATED $348,798,681 IN VISITOR SPENDING IN 2024
Report Shows Tourism Remains a Key Economic Driver

Jackson, Tenn. – Visitors to Madison County generated $348,798,681 in spending in 2024, representing a 6.39% increase from 2023, according to newly released data from Tourism Economics and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.

“The latest visitor spending numbers are a powerful reflection of the exceptional hospitality that defines Madison County.  When travelers come to Jackson and the surrounding areas, they’re not just visiting-they’re experiencing the warmth, service and authentic welcome that our community is proud to offer.  This growth is driven by the people behind our hotels, restaurants, shops and attractions who consistently go above and beyond to create memorable experiences. Over the past year, we’ve seen the addition of new hotels, local shops, dining options, and events that have expanded and energized our tourism landscape.  These enhancements continue to elevate the visitor experience, and strengthen Madison County’s reputation as a vibrant, welcoming destination. We’re proud of the momentum we’re building and remain committed to supporting the continued growth of our hospitality economy.”-Beth Bolton, Visit Jackson TN

BY THE NUMBERS*:

• Direct visitor spending in Madison County generated $22,574,742 in state tax revenue and $14,112,272 in local tax revenue.
• If it were not for state and local taxes generated by tourism, each household in Madison County would pay $928 more in state and local taxes.
• Madison County ranked 12 among the 95 counties in Tennessee based on visitor spending.  

*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 Madison County.

“I’m so 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% 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. Full details can be found in the statewide press release. 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.

Looking ahead, there are many tourism highpoints for Tennessee that will make it easier to capture in-state and out-of-state visitor value:

• New direct flights from Icelandair and Aer Lingus to Nashville. 
• New Allegiant Airlines service connecting Memphis to Knoxville.
• New Southwest Airlines service connecting Nashville to Knoxville.
• Expanded routes into Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Jackson and Tri-Cities airports from out-of-state markets.
• Increased service from luxury coach options like Vonlane and Gray Line.
• Milestones like B.B. King’s 100th birthday in Memphis, Grand Ole Opry’s 100th anniversary in Nashville, Dollywood’s 40th anniversary, the record-breaking MLB Speedway Classic in Bristol and IBMA in Chattanooga. 
• Programs like the upcoming MICHELIN Guide to the American South will continue to elevate Tennessee’s culinary brand.

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.
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