Visitor spending in Hamilton County, Tennessee, reached $1,878,113,288 in 2025, reflecting a 4% increase over 2024 and surpassing the statewide tourism spending growth rate of 2.7%, according to research from Tourism Economics commissioned by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. This growth contributed to a 27.6% increase in visitor spending since 2018, outpacing the national tourism growth rate of 22%.
Between 2018 and 2025, Hamilton County added 19 new hotel properties, totaling over 2,000 new hotel rooms, a major factor fueling visitor spending growth. The hospitality industry’s expansion included hotels, attractions, restaurants, and small businesses united in supporting tourism’s economic
impact.
Statewide, Tennessee’s tourism industry generated $32.5 billion in direct visitor spending in 2025, marking a 40% increase since 2018. Tennessee’s Southeast tourism region, which includes Hamilton County, saw visitor spending reach $2.3 billion, up 3.5% from 2024 and 26.2% since 2018.
Local Industry Impact and Leadership Statements
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, stated, “Tennessee is a sales tax state. The quality of our assets – whether that’s live music or entertainment or outdoors – are attractive to visitors. 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.”
Tourism Economics and Data Overview
The 2025 Economic Impact on Travel Report analyzes Tennessee’s tourism spending, encompassing visitor expenditures, tax revenue, and job creation. The data, sourced from the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development
and Tourism Economics and benchmarked against U.S. Travel Association standards, cover Hamilton County’s incorporated and unincorporated areas.
Growth in lodging inventory, with the 19 new hotel properties and over 2,000 additional rooms, was a key driver of visitor spending increases. Hamilton County’s hospitality partners–hotels, attractions, restaurants, and small businesses–have effectively collaborated to leverage tourism’s economic benefits.
