TOURISM IN THOMASVILLE CREATES ECONOMIC IMPACT

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TOURISM IN THOMASVILLE CREATES ECONOMIC IMPACT Article PhotoThe numbers are in and it is official - tourism is growing in Thomasville and across the state of Georgia. Governor Nathan Deal announced last week during National Travel and Tourism Week that the state’s tourism industry generated a record-breaking $63.1 billion in 2016, for an increase of 3.8 percent over the previous year, according to the U.S. Travel Association and Tourism Economics.

“The tourism industry contributes significantly to the growth and prosperity of Georgia’s economy,” said Gov. Deal. “Last year, a record number of visitors traveled to Georgia to explore our mountains, coastline, thriving cities and small towns. The continued growth of the tourism industry provides meaningful employment opportunities for families, strengthens our local communities and reaffirms our status as a world-class tourism destination.”

Bonnie Hayes, Tourism Director for the City of Thomasville, said that the recent announcement confirms that tourism is big business for Thomasville.

“I think many people are surprised to hear about the economic impact tourism has locally,” said Hayes. “In the most recent study by the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GaDEcD), local tourism supported more than 635 jobs and generated $71.20 million in direct spending.”

This report also shows an increase in Thomas County over previous years. Job growth is up by more than 5 percent, in part due to new restaurants and businesses opening in the community. Visitor expenditures have also steadily grown over the last six years, with a near 30 percent growth from 2009 to 2016.

State-wide, tourism dollars are vital to Georgia’s economy. The tourism industry’s impact statewide was $3.3 billion in state and local taxes during 2017, creating a huge economic impact.

“Georgia’s tourism industry is the foundation for being able to offer our citizens access to a thriving quality of life with unique destinations, experiences, events and cultural opportunities,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “Congratulations to our Georgia Tourism team as well as the tourism industry professionals across the state for making Georgia a top travel destination.”

Hayes said that the impact of tourism in Thomas County means that while tax dollars are generated by visitors rather than residents, local residents reap the benefits. “Sales tax dollars generated by visitor spending is used for improvements in our local community. Because visitors are generating those tax dollars, it means that each local household pays less in taxes,” said Hayes. “In Thomas County, each household would need to be taxed an additional $291 per year to replace the taxes generated by tourism economic activity.”

“Tourism’s astounding growth as one of the top industries in our state is a testament to our tourism industry professionals who work tirelessly to promote their destinations and create new opportunities to entice visitors to come back,” said GDEcD Deputy Commissioner for Tourism Kevin Langston.

Over 6,000 visitors walked through the doors of the Thomasville Visitors Center this past year. In 2017 the Thomasville Visitors Center assisted over 10,000 people in town for weddings, reunions, sporting events and other events, bringing an estimated $17.5 million in direct spending to the area.

“Most of our visitors come to us from the southeast region, within a 3-5 hour drive from Thomasville, but we do see some from New York, Michigan, and California who have heard about Thomasville and made it their main destination,” said Hayes. “It’s always surprising to meet someone from as far away as Germany, Argentina or Spain that are here visiting.”

Hayes said that most visitors to Thomasville come to experience the shopping and dining that is available in downtown Thomasville. Other attractions such as Pebble Hill Plantation, the Lapham Patterson House, and the Rose Garden are a draw as is the abundant quail hunting that can be found in the area.

Hayes said, “We are fortunate to have a city that can host some of the best cultural events to be found in the Southeast such as the Rose Show and Festival, Antiques Show, Thomasville Entertainment Foundation concerts, Plantation Wildlife Arts Festival, and Victorian Christmas. Each event reaches a different demographic which allows people from all over to find a reason to come to Thomasville and spend their time and money with us.”


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