Governor Brian Kemp (R) joined the Georgia Department of Economic Development to announce that Georgia has set tourism records for the third consecutive year. Georgia also ranked fifth in the nation for overnight visitation for the fifth year in a row.
Speaking at the annual Georgia Governor’s Tourism Conference, Governor Kemp announced a new record. 174.2 million domestic and international visitors in the calendar year of 2024 spent $45.2 billion on Georgia’s hotels, restaurants, recreation, transportation, and other local businesses, surpassing the previous record set in 2023 by nearly 4%.
Tourism by itself in 2024 generated $5.1 billion in state and local tax revenues, and saved each household in the state an average of $1,285 in annual taxes.
Georgia’s tourism industry is the second-largest economic contributor to the state, generating $82 billion in statewide economic impact, a 3% year-over-year increase. Alongside this revenue, the visitor economy supports 470,570 jobs in Georgia, accounting for one in every 15 jobs in the state.
For context, the three-day Georgia Governor’s Tourism Conference is the premier annual event for the state’s travel and hospitality industry. It draws attendees from across the state each year, and serves to inspire excellence and elevate the state’s tourism efforts.
Raising national and international awareness of Georgia as a business and leisure destination is a key goal for the conference that aims to promote the state for its landscapes and experiences that cross county lines and industries.
The 2025 conference was held at the newly expanded Savannah Convention Center to showcase one of the state’s leading assets. Meetings and conventions like this bring millions of visitors and generate billions of dollars annually in Georgia.
Kemp commented on the appeal of Georgia as a tourist attraction, citing its diverse landscapes, positive communities, and hardworking people across the state.
“Georgia’s scenic landscapes spanning the mountains to the coast, cultural attractions, and vibrant communities make our state a top destination that leaves visitors with a reason to keep Georgia on their minds,” Kemp stated. “We’re grateful to the hardworking men and women statewide who make sure Georgia always puts its best foot forward, helping create real positive impacts in all four corners of the Peach State.”
