A record 2.13 million visitors came to Rutherford County in 2017, a 7.4 percent increase from 2016’s then record-breaking mark of 1.98 million visitors.
In fact, Rutherford County has outperformed the national average for tourism growth of 2.6 percent, for the third consecutive year.
Numbers released in August showed the tourism-related spending in Rutherford County in 2017 increased from $331.89 to $351.45 million, placing Rutherford County in the top 10 counties across the state for travel-related expenditures. The numbers reflect the highest increase Rutherford County has seen since 2013.
“We are delighted that our tourism benchmarks continue to rise each year,” said Senior Vice President Barbara Wolke. “With the continued economic growth, partnerships, and community involvement, our marketing team feels energized and engaged to push our tourism efforts to the next level.”
Throughout 2018, the Rutherford County Convention and Visitors Bureau team has been working on a branding refresh to better align tourism efforts in the ever-expanding digital segment. The new branding will clearly communicate travel and tourism by utilizing the name “Visit Rutherford TN” in all digital efforts, including a website name shift to VisitRutherfordTN.com.
“We are thrilled to be implementing our new branding as we head into 2019 in order to better tell Rutherford County’s story and inspire even more visitation,” Wolke said.
The visitor count was compiled by tourism and travel research company D.K. Shifflet & Associates. Additional economic impact and employment figures are compiled by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.
About the Rutherford County Convention and Visitors Bureau
Operating under the umbrella of the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce, the Convention and Visitors Bureau serves as the primary marketing force for the county. The CVB strives to promote the area as a destination for group tours, meetings /conferences, sporting events, and leisure travelers. For more information, visit the CVB’s website at VisitRutherfordTN.com.