Visit Columbia County recently announced that visitors spent $201.6 million in the calendar year 2023, according to newly released data from the Georgia Department of Economic Development. This marked a 7.6% increase over the spending in 2022.
"We are thrilled to see continued growth in visitor spending, reflecting Columbia County's rising popularity as a premier destination for outdoor recreation, dining, and family-friendly experiences," said Shelly Blackburn, Executive Director of Visit Columbia County. "This economic impact highlights the importance of tourism in our community, not only supporting local businesses but also contributing to the quality of life for our residents."
Travel demand in 2023 supported 2,485 jobs and generated $15.7M in state and local tax revenues for Columbia County. Without the state and local tax revenues generated by tourism, Columbia County taxes would cost an additional $315 per year per household.
"Georgia's diverse destinations, unique experiences, and welcoming communities attract visitation and visitor spending into every corner of our state," said Georgia Department of Economic Development Statewide Tourism Director Jay Markwalter. "Together, we continue to drive increasing levels of tourism impact, powering our state and local economies, supporting jobs and businesses, and enhancing the quality of life for all Georgians."
In 2023, Georgia broke visitation records for the second year in a row, reaching a new high of 171 million domestic and international visitors. These travelers spent a record $43.6 billion on hotels, restaurants, transportation, and other local businesses across the state and generated $5 billion in state and local tax revenues. The total economic impact of Georgia's travel and tourism industry reached $79.7 billion and supported more than 463,400 jobs statewide.