White County is one of just 16 counties statewide to see tourism revenue grow by more than ten percent last year.
White County Executive Denny Robinson said he can partially attribute the county’s success to investments in tourism infrastructure, such as parks and access to waterways. Robinson said local businesses also deserve credit.
“And the private sector does a great job with opening up restaurants and wineries and breweries and such as that that also bring people in,” Robinson said. “And it’s just a good community effort to bring in more revenue into White County and let us grow.”
Last year, White County tourists spent $14.5 million, an 11 percent increase over the previous year. Robinson said international tourists also contributed to the spike in tourism. Robinson said White County works toward further growth.
“With our new state park opening up, which is not even included in the numbers I’ve been reporting on, these are 2024 numbers, is the latest numbers we’ve got, but i can only imagine we’re just going to continue to grow in that area in White County.”
Robinson said tourists support local businesses and finance the county efficiently because they do not require residential government resources like education, law enforcement, or emergency services.
“Tourists coming in, you know, pays taxes, so sales tax is a big part of (that)-that’s where most of the income comes in from tourism is the sales tax,” Robinson said. “They come in, and they pay taxes, and then they leave.”
Robinson said White County property-owners saved an average $118 in property taxes. Tourism creates 150 jobs in White County.
Robinson said counties and cities are not too different regarding tourism. Cities are driven by sales tax, while counties are driven by property tax. Counties can greatly benefit from cities receiving the benefits of sales tax, so often they have similar goals on the subject.
“The majority of that probably goes to the city of Sparta, but that helps White County also,” Robinson said. “And helps the citizens in the county, so we just try to work together to bring that in and keep it coming.”
White County relies on its abundance of caves and waterfalls to attract those looking to experience the rolling hills of Tennessee.
Van Buren County also saw a tourism revenue increase by more than 10 percent last year. Van Buren is home to the largest and most popular state park in Tennessee, Fall Creek Falls State Park.
Robinson said Tennessee tourism is up overall. According to the Department of Tourist Development, Tennessee collected $3.3 million in state and local tax revenue from tourists last year. There also was a 12 percent year-over-year increase in international tourists.
