NASHVILLE – Visitors to Davidson County generated a record $11.2 billion in spending in 2024, representing a 4.17% increase from 2023, according to newly released data from Tourism Economics and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. Visitors spent an average of $30.7 million a day in Nashville, fueling local business growth, generating tax revenues, creating jobs and reinforcing hospitality as one of the city’s largest industries.
Davidson County ranks number one in the state in visitor spending, and it takes the combined total of the next four counties – Shelby, Sevier, Knox and Hamilton – to exceed the $11.2 billion visitors spent in Nashville. If it were not for the state and local taxes generated by tourism, each Nashville household would pay $3,678 more in state and local taxes, the state report said.
“Tourism in Nashville continues to be a powerful driver for our city and state, accounting for one-third of all visitor spending in Tennessee,” said Deana Ivey, President and CEO, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “Our industry supports thousands of jobs, generates critical tax revenue and drives economic activity for local businesses across our community. Despite economic uncertainties, Nashville continues to perform as one of the top 25 U.S. markets and stands out as the nation’s most favorably viewed city—recognized as both a popular and welcoming destination.”
BY THE NUMBERS:
- Direct visitor spending in Davidson County generated $1.157 billion in state and local tax revenue: $692.9 million in state tax revenue and $464.1 million in local tax revenue.
- Labor income in Davidson County was $3.082 billion in 2024.
- The number of daily and overnight visitors to Davidson County last year totaled 16.9 million.
Statewide, Tennessee’s tourism industry broke records for the fourth consecutive year in 2024, generating $31.66 billion in direct visitor spending and welcoming 147 million visitors.
Tennessee saw a 12% year-over-year increase in international travel spending. This is notable because the report does not consider impacts from new direct flights from Iceland and Ireland added in Spring 2025. Those impacts will not appear until next year’s report.
“Tennessee’s tourism momentum is built to last, creating jobs, fueling small businesses, delivering real returns on public investment and generating substantial tax revenues that directly benefit Tennesseans,” said Gov. Bill Lee. “I'm proud of the investments we’ve made to drive intentional growth, and welcome visitors from around the world to experience Tennessee’s urban cities and small towns from Memphis to Mountain City.”
“I’m so grateful to our amazing tourism and hospitality industry for these remarkable results,” said Mark Ezell, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. “The Tennessee Tourism team has been able to leverage bigger tourism budgets to help grow visitor spending over 36% in these last six years. We are leading the nation as one of just a few states that are aggressively growing tax revenue from non-Tennessee residents to benefit all seven million Tennesseans.”
The Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp and Visit Music City
The mission of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp and Visit Music City is to maximize the economic contribution of the convention and tourism industry to the community by developing and marketing Nashville as a premier destination. Visit the NCVC’s website at www.visitmusiccity.com and follow us on social media @VisitMusicCity.
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