Spring is here and tourists are flocking to the Upper Cumberland to take in the region’s beauty.
Upper Cumberland Tourism Association Executive Director Billie Davis said the tourism season peaks in May. Davis said the main reason tourists visit the region is free access to natural areas.
“That is what makes us stand out so strongly against some of the other areas is we have so many amazing natural resources,” Davis said. “And of course, our state parks, they’re doing an amazing job, just extending their hiking trails, their overlooks and upgrading their campgrounds.”
Davis said the region has experienced a steady growth of tourism since 2020. Davis said tourism is something that creates local jobs and supports small businesses.
Davis said it is tourists who help fund everything from our public parks to public services.
“It also really helps create a sense of community, it shares the story of our region,” Davis said. ” It helps create our ideas, identity and we’re able to share our natural beauty, the history, the hospitality, everything that we encompass in the Upper Cumberland. We’re able to put that out and people come for it, they love it, and that’s putting money back into our small businesses.”
Davis said as executive director of the Upper Cumberland Tourism Association her job includes helping the fourteen counties that are members of the association. Davis said she talks regularly with chambers of commerce, tourism and businesses to offer promotional support via multiple platforms.
“We’re just making sure that we’re getting the word out,” Davis said. “And we’re helping businesses and counties collaborate with each other and kind of erase those county lines and bring in people. People don’t care if they’re visiting a particular county. They just want to do something fun and we make a really fun day.”
