According to newly released data from Tourism Economics and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, tourism continues to prove its strength in Northwest Tennessee. Visitors contributed more than $317 million in direct spending in 2024 — a 5.3% increase over 2023. That spending supported 2,478 local jobs and generated more than $29.7 million in state and local tax revenue, resulting in $299 in tax savings per household across the region.
Statewide, Tennessee welcomed $31.7 billion in direct visitor spending in 2024, reflecting a 3.3% year-over-year increase.
“This report reflects not just the power of individual destinations, but the strength of our region when we work together,” said Kasey Muench, Executive Director of Northwest Tennessee Tourism Association. “We’re proud to see growth across all nine counties, and we’re committed to building on this momentum.”
County Highlights
Each of the nine counties that make up Northwest Tennessee saw visitor spending positively impact their communities in 2024:
Benton County – Visitors spent $16.7 million in 2024, a 7% increase over the previous year, supporting more than 130 local jobs
Carroll County – Visitor spending grew to $11.3 million in 2024, a 5% increase from the previous year, supporting nearly 90 local jobs
Crockett County – Visitor spending climbed to $3.4 million in 2024, a nearly 9.5% increase over the previous year
Dyer County – Visitor spending reached $74.7 million in 2024, an 8.9% increase from 2023, moving the county up to 29th out of 95 counties statewide
Gibson County – Visitor spending rose to $26.9 million in 2024, a 10.5% increase from 2023, improving its rank to 51st out of 95 counties in Tennessee
Henry County – Visitor spending grew to $69.4 million in 2024, up nearly 7% from 2023, ranking 33rd out of 95 counties statewide
Lake County – Visitors generated $6.9 million in spending in 2024, providing households with $384 in tax savings and highlighting tourism’s strong role in the local economy
Obion County – Visitors spent $80.1 million in 2024, maintaining a strong 26th place ranking out of 95 counties statewide and generating the region’s highest household tax savings at $606
Weakley County – Visitor spending rose to $27.9 million in 2024, a 6.5% increase from the previous year, boosting its rank to 50th out of 95 counties in Tennessee
“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.”
Looking Ahead
Northwest Tennessee Tourism Association credits this success to regional collaboration, innovative initiatives, and a shared commitment to showcasing the unique character of “Our Corner” of Tennessee. Northwest Tennessee’s unique mix of outdoor recreation, cultural attractions, and small-town hospitality continues to draw visitors and drive economic impact across the region.
“As strong as these numbers are, they also show us the opportunity ahead,” said Muench. “We know the value of tourism in Northwest Tennessee, and together with our partners, we’re making sure the world knows it too. We’re just getting started.”
*Research conducted by Tourism Economics, commissioned by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. The data above highlights the impact of visitors within the incorporated and unincorporated areas of Northwest Tennessee.