Tourism is booming in Rutherford County! According to figures released by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and the U.S. Travel Association, the county saw an increase of $11.9 million in tourist spending from 2009 to 2010.

In 2009, leisure travel experienced a significant decrease, as the economic downturn ravaged the country. Tourism-related spending in Rutherford County dropped to $216.67 million. However, in 2010, tourist spending in Rutherford County jumped to $228.57 million—an increase of $11.9 million in just one year. This also places Rutherford County in the top 10 counties across the state, for travel-related expenditures.

“We’re absolutely thrilled about the increase in economic impact on Rutherford County,” said Mona Herring, Vice President of the Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We work very hard to ensure that our community sees an annual boost in tourist spending. Like most destinations, we were hurt by the economic downturn, but these figures are proof that tourism is back in full force.”

In 2010, on an average day in Rutherford County, tourists spent $626,219 in restaurants, hotels, retail stores, entertainment venues and on transportation. This money directly impacts our community—without the money generated by tourism, every household in Rutherford County would have to pay nearly $200 more in state and local taxes, every single year.

The Convention and Visitors Bureau is the primary marketing arm of the county and advertises in major national publications as well as maintaining a presence on the internet, billboards and in Tennessee state welcome centers. The CVB produces and distributes several marketing pieces each year, and works closely with event organizers, group tour operators and individual visitors. For more information, visit the CVB’s website atwww.ReadySetRutherford.com.