Visitor spending in Hamilton County, Tennessee totaled $1,878,113,288 in 2025, reflecting a 4% increase from 2024 and exceeding the statewide tourism growth rate of 2.7%. Since 2018, spending in the county has risen by 27.6%, outpacing the national tourism growth rate of 22% over the same period.
Lodging Expansion Drives Growth in Hamilton County
The increase in visitor spending has been propelled largely by lodging, fueled by the opening of 19 new hotel properties and the addition of over 2,000 hotel rooms in Hamilton County from 2018 to 2025. These accommodations contributed significantly to the county’s tourism economy expansion.
Officials Stress Economic Benefits of Tourism Spending
Susan Harris, interim CEO of Chattanooga Tourism Co.,
said, “The hospitality industry in Hamilton County continues to play a vital role in our region’s economic growth. We are fortunate to have so many dedicated and talented partners across our hotels, attractions, restaurants, and small businesses who welcome visitors and fuel our community’s continued success.”
Mark Ezell, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, highlighted tax revenue retention from tourism, stating, “Tennessee is a sales tax state. Every tax dollar captured from an out-of-state visitor is a dollar retained in Tennessee and used for Tennesseans. It’s incredible to see communities understanding the power of visitor spending, and leveraging
that spending for the good of their residents.” He also noted the appeal of Tennessee’s live music, entertainment, and outdoor assets to visitors.
Tennessee Tourism Shows Strong Statewide and Regional Growth
Tennessee’s tourism sector generated a record $32.5 billion in direct visitor spending in 2025, producing $3.3 billion in state and local tax revenue. The state’s tourism economy has expanded 40% since 2018, nearly doubling the 22% growth seen nationally. Within Tennessee’s Southeast tourism region, where Hamilton County is located, visitor spending reached $2.3 billion in 2025, rising 3.5% over 2024 and increasing 26.2% since 2018.
Data Source and Reporting Tools
The 2025 Economic Impact on Travel Report, prepared by Tourism Economics and
the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, provides analysis of visitor spending, tax generation, and other tourism metrics across Tennessee. The TN Travel Impact Interactive County Dashboard offers access to detailed economic impact statistics at both the statewide and county levels, utilizing data benchmarked by the U.S. Travel Association.
