Georgia Tourism Enjoys Banner Year in 2005

Georgia Tourism Enjoys Banner Year in 2005

Annual Travel Industry Report Shows Visitor Spending Exceeded National Average

ATLANTA - Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that tourism in the state of Georgia continued to thrive in 2005. According to the annual economic report of the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA), the total economic impact of visitors to the state increased to $28.2 billion, $2 billion more than in 2004.

“Tourism is a powerful economic generator for Georgia,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Our marketing efforts are paying off in increased economic benefits and greater exposure for Georgia’s travel destinations.”

The TIA preliminary analysis shows that tourism’s economic impact in Georgia, comprising direct, indirect and induced spending, continued its upward trend in 2005 with strong gains across the board. Direct expenditures, which include lodging, food, transportation, recreation, entertainment and incidentals, were up 7.7 percent, outpacing the national average of 7.2 percent. Hotel room demand increased 5.5 percent, and hotel room revenue jumped almost 10 percent. Approximately 217,000 Georgians worked in travel-related jobs in 2005, 2.5 percent more than in 2004. Tax revenue generated in the state rose 5.9 percent, to $1.28 billion.

“We expect continued increases in expenditures and visitation as we implement our ‘Put Your Dreams in Motion’ marketing campaign,” said Dan Rowe, deputy commissioner for tourism at the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “Governor Perdue and the General Assembly have continued to demonstrate strong support for Georgia’s tourism industry by increasing marketing funds by $500,000 in this year’s budget.”

Georgia offers a wealth of travel destinations within an easy drive from anywhere in the Southeast. Visitors can tour the new Georgia Aquarium, ride the new Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags®, explore the vineyards of North Georgia, rediscover the Cloister on Sea Island, take a ride on the SAM Shortline in Cordele, or visit one of Georgia’s many state parks. TIA also forecasts that the United States will be an attractive destination for international visitors in 2006, and with Delta Air Lines launching new direct flights into Georgia, the state is well-positioned to benefit from this trend.

Governor Perdue made tourism a key part of Georgia’s economic development strategy. Last year Governor Perdue championed the creation of the Georgia Tourism Foundation, a public-private entity and non-profit organization that leverages investments and forges partnerships to strengthen the state’s tourism marketing. Heritage tourism was the focus of the 2005 Southern Governors Association meeting, which Governor Perdue chaired and hosted. In addition, the state has partnered with other public and private organizations to hold a series of heritage tourism workshops around the state.

Governor Perdue will also host the Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Columbus September 12-15, which typically attracts about 400 tourism professionals from around the state for workshops, seminars and meetings focused on ways to promote Georgia travel destinations to the state’s residents and visitors.

For more information on tourism in Georgia, visit www.georgia.org.

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