County Mayor Jim Coppinger said during a luncheon for the Convention and Visitors Bureau that the tourism industry has a billion-dollar impact on the surrounding community.
In fact, he said, this economic impact saves households in Hamilton County approximately $500 per year in property taxes.
It also puts millions into the Hamilton County School System.
Mayor Coppinger said, "So to every one of the 8,500 people who work in the local tourism industry, I say thank you on behalf of a grateful county government."
CVB President and CEO Bob Doak said, "Chattanooga is truly authentic.
We are not a fa
çade. We are not a movie set. But what we are is a community with incredible, God-given beauty and remarkable people who make a difference every day."
He continued, "When we enhance the city, it’s not aimed at tourists, it’s aimed at us, the locals. But once you create a great quality of life for your residents, visitors notice and they want to come and see what is happening to make a city so popular."
Over the past 10 years, he said visitor spending has increased by 57 percent. For the first time, spending is anticipated to exceed a billion dollars this year.
President Doak said, "Looking at those numbers, one might be inclined to think the work is done. Great cities, in fact, are never done. They do not rest. They continue to build. We know that private developers and business owners, hoteliers, restaurateurs, are investing millions of dollars in our industry."
He also praised Chattanooga for becoming the newest host of the Ironman competition. He said this was due not only to the "spectacular setting" but also because the people of Chattanooga "showed them a city that knows how to roll out the red carpet."
He said of the event, "While they're not racing, they will leave approximately eight million dollars in our city by spending money at our hotels, attractions, restaurants and shops. They have committed to five years here, and we hope they make Chattanooga a permanent destination."
President Doak told the audience, "The success of our city and our industry would not happen without people like each of you."