Tourism Grants Awarded Locally

Tourism is getting a boost in communities across Tennessee, as the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development has announced that the state awarded 29 communities over $2.22 million in Tourism Enhancement Grants. City of South Pittsburg: New stage flooring and electronic messaging signs at the Princess Theater $90,000. Sequatchie County: Wayfinding and interpretive signage, lighting, and sound…

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The North Tennessee Tourism meeting at the Tri-Cities Regional Airport May 4th, 2023 was awesome. There were some super nice people.

Trevor Rice Marketing Tri-Cities Airport

Kristi Haulsee Tri-Cities Airport

Barbara Cross Metz Culinary Management

Richard Wilson Ober Mountain

Michael with Back2Basics Adventures

Pamela Randolph Print Distribution

Mike JC Aerial Photography

Matt Kyle Rivers Way

Historic Farm Resurrected as Largest Wedding Venue in Tennessee With Private Island

Historic Farm Resurrected as Largest Wedding Venue in Tennessee With Private Island

One of the newest wedding venues in Tennessee is also the largest and features a private island Press Release – Mar 8, 2022 SPRINGVILLE, Tenn., March 8, 2022 (Newswire.com) – A historic farm is currently being resurrected as the largest wedding venue and lodging hot spot in Springville, Tennessee. Sandy Creek Farms in Springville, TN, is officially the largest wedding venue in Tennessee,…

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Southern Airways travel poster for Memphis, Tennessee (c. 1970).

Holidays in December

Gatlinburg, TN

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1952 Tennessee Division Of Information Tourism Advertisement

Traffic on US 441, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, 2017.

If I had to design hell, one of my templates would be Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and nearby areas in Tennessee adjacent to Smoky Mountains National Park!

Visiting Roaring Fork Trail in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park

North Carolina/ Tennessee state line. Smokey mountains

At sunset, Nashville's rooftop bars reveal a gleaming new skyline that is primarily made up of hotels.

Nashville Yards is a brand-new mega-development that is anchored by the 25-floor Grand Hyatt, a 21-story Luxury Collection hotel dubbed The Joseph, an 810,000 square foot, 33-story JW Marriott with 533 rooms, and the Thompson, which casts shadows over the low-rise Gulch neighbourhood. All have been newly built, most since 2020. The Graduate Hotel, which is close to renowned hot-chicken eatery Hattie B's and brims with Southern charm, or the megawatt Soho House are examples of smaller launches with outsized personalities that are not included in the list.

The development of the W, a mirrored tower with 346 hotel rooms that are partially cantilevered over a 26,000-square-foot retail complex, cost $191 million, which is a testament to how quickly things are changing. In October 2021, only five months after it first opened, it was sold to new owners for $328.7 million, or $950,000 per room.

Almost every luxury brand is descending: Nashville is anticipating an inflow of five-star hotel brands over the next three years, including 1Hotel, Edition, Conrad, and Ritz-Carlton, as well as a complete renovation of the city's historic landmark, The Hermitage, which first opened in 1910. The Four Seasons, which is expected to debut in a 40-storey tower with 235 hotel rooms and 144 homes with access to a seventh-floor pool deck that seems like it could have been plucked from Beverly Hills, will likely be the most opulent.

Dean Stratouly, president and chief executive officer of hospitality investment business Congress Group and a co-developer of the Four Seasons, compares Nashville's economic future to that of Austin. He adds, "We first started looking in Nashville around 2016 and I was astounded by what was percolating," citing the city's hospitable tax-base structure, a state government that is aggressive in luring industries, and quickly expanding infrastructure. These are some of the same factors that led major firms, like Amazon and Oracle, to relocate their headquarters and construct sizable offices here recently, helping to spark a wave of urban white-collar worker migration from both coasts.

But on top of all that, there are really uncommon draw cards for investors in the hospitality industry. Notably, practically every significant US city, including Los Angeles and New York, is within a four-hour flight of Nashville. According to data from hotel industry researchers STR, Nashville has routinely seen increases in both occupancy rates and average daily prices that have helped boost statistics countrywide. Nashville has been one of the five best-performing metropolitan markets during the pandemic.

While bachelorette parties contribute significantly to the city's reputation as a tourist destination, they only account for 1 per cent of tourism-related revenues; corporate travel, which typically generates steady business, accounts for 40 per cent of these, giving the city longevity with a broad range of visitors. Despite the ongoing uncertainty surrounding meetings and conventions, Nashville expects to welcome more tourists in 2022 than it did in 2019. This is even with the record number of travellers passing through Tennessee to reach the Great Smoky Mountains.

According to Butch Spyridon, president and chief executive officer of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation, "Nashville's [Davidson County] annual hotel revenue in 2022 is projected to be 187 percent higher than it was 10 years ago." Spyridon believes there are currently no indications that the growth is slowing.

According to Spyridon, Nashville's development began in 2004 when the city changed its moniker from Music City USA to Music City and began to forge a distinct identity that wasn't just based on Americana and country music.

However, the campaign's focus went beyond a simple name. Nashville has subsequently held events, including the NHL All-Star Game and the 2019 NFL Draft, thanks to the $623 million it set aside for the building of Music City Center, a 2.1 million square foot convention centre that opened in 2013.

The city's rapidly expanding supply of hotel rooms has been filled as a result of the continual inflow of tourists attracted by such events. "We had 4,200 new hotel rooms open during the pandemic, and another 3,100 are under construction to further strengthen our market," said Spyridon. Nearly all hotels were completely booked for the return of the Country Music Awards in early June. "We've been on a 12-year roll of positive momentum."

Of fact, not all indicators reveal the same picture; despite an increase in room counts during the pandemic, the city and every other travel destination experienced reductions in 2020. Even still, Nashville and Tennessee's statistics weren't as bad as they were in other regions of the nation.

And Nashville has experienced the opposite, as opposed to other markets, when the inclusion of additional inventory results in a decline in rates. "In the first four months of 2022, Nashville city hotel revenue was up by 10.5% compared to the same time in 2019," says Spyridon. Despite the fact that business travel has not yet fully recovered, according to forecasts for the entire year 2022, Nashville "will sell 900,000 more rooms than in 2019, delivering a 20 percent increase in hotel revenues."

The majority of Nashville's high-rise construction was previously concentrated within a one-mile radius of the city centre. Soho House, which debuted in February in the historically warehouse-heavy Wedgewood Houston neighbourhood, five minutes south of downtown and on the other side of I-40, is one of the recent boundary-pushers. Despite the neighborhood's continued industrial aesthetic, it has been welcomed by neighbourhood businesses, including hip coffee shops, art galleries, and vintage shops, as well as a sizable Live Nation presence, which has attracted a full-time, skilled labour.

One of those who recognised Wedgewood's potential before it was hip was Ben Weprin, who owns more than $1.3 billion in real estate in Nashville, including the aforementioned location of his own rapidly expanding brand, Graduate Hotels. In 2015, he purchased the May Hosier Sock Factory building and quickly notified his friend and Soho House CEO Nick Jones about it. Jones believed Nashville had potential in 2014, but it was too early in the city's development for him to make a decision. Recently, it was simple to sell.

The 47 hotel rooms, a Cecconi's restaurant, two stages for live performances, and a 74-foot-long outdoor pool are now all part of the 97,000-square-foot, four-storey Soho House. The atmosphere is laid-back but chic; even during the workday, it's crowded with individuals eating lunch and relaxing with laptops.

A new hotel called Southall will debut this fall in Franklin, 25 minutes south of the city, with 62 rooms and 16 cottages situated on a working farm. It will be a more accessible, more affordable alternative to the always booked-out Blackberry Farm, which is three hours east.

“With Nashville booming nearby, I saw an opportunity,” says Southall’s owner, Paul Mishkin. “We initially toyed with the idea of a B&B, but as we talked to more and more people who lived in the area for years, we were strongly encouraged to go bigger—and that we did!” he says.

Like Southall, the majority of Nashville's newest luxury hotels are promoting the city's upscale dining scene rather than its history as a country music mecca. Sean Brock, the winner of the James Beard Award, has a restaurant at the Grand Hyatt, while Tony Mantuano, formerly of Chicago's renowned Spiaggia, relocated permanently to Music City to manage the ambitious, pasta-focused Yolan at the Joseph.

Luxury companies follow where boldface chefs succeed: Even Kering has stated that it is considering expanding in Nashville, particularly for its Gucci and Balenciaga boutiques.

Nashville is now much more than just Music City, which begs the question of how much luxury Tennessee's capital can sustain before losing its distinct personality. Nashville lost 11,000 citizens in 2021 after a decade of continuous expansion, according to figures from the US Census Bureau, signalling that the extraordinary population boom sustained in 2020 has already peaked.

However, the city is not only interested in Americans who can work from anyplace. It unveiled a six-year, $1.4 billion airport improvement plan in early June, concentrating on the infrastructure required to attract more transatlantic and long-haul flights. In other words, Music City is already planning its next performance—on a bigger stage around the world.

Money Spent on Tourism Up in Area Counties

Tennessee tourism generated $29 billion in direct visitor spending and saw 141 million visitors to the state in 2022, according to newly released data from Tourism Economics. Marion County up 9% from 2021. $60.8 million Grundy County up 17%. 14.2 million Sequatchie County up 19%. 6.8 million Bledsoe County up 2%. $4 million

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Calling all cycling enthusiasts! The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development (TDTD) has launched an exciting new program designed to entice cyclists from across the country to explore the state's natural beauty on two wheels. Bike Tennessee offers a curated collection of 52 scenic road cycling routes, meticulously mapped and readily accessible through a user-friendly app. Let's delve deeper into this innovative program, the scenic routes it encompasses, and the potential it holds for both cyclists and Tennessee tourism. Tennessee Unveils Bike Tennessee Hit the Backroads, Discover Tennessee's Charm: The Essence of Bike Tennessee Bike Tennessee goes beyond simply offering cycling routes; it's an invitation to immerse yourself in the unique character of Tennessee. Here's what sets this program apart: Unveiling Scenic Routes: The program boasts 52 carefully chosen routes, winding through picturesque landscapes, charming towns, and breathtaking natural wonders. Embrace Sustainability: Cycling offers an eco-friendly way to explore, aligning perfectly with the growing demand for sustainable travel experiences. Authentic Tennessee: Bike Tennessee encourages riders to discover the hidden gems and local charm that define Tennessee's character. Effortless Navigation: Ride with GPS Makes Exploring a Breeze Partnering with the popular cycling app Ride with GPS, Bike Tennessee ensures a seamless user experience: Ambassador Status: Tennessee's designation as a Ride with GPS ambassador guarantees easy accessibility to all 52 routes within the app. Detailed Navigation: Each route is meticulously mapped, providing cyclists with precise turn-by-turn navigation and route information. Enriching Ride Descriptions: Detailed descriptions provide valuable insights into the terrain, waypoints, and hidden gems along the way. This allows cyclists to tailor their experience and discover hidden treasures. Customization Options: The app allows for modifying routes to suit individual preferences and fitness levels. Experience Meets Expertise: Creating Routes for All Levels The Bike Tennessee program was developed with expert guidance: Professional Collaboration: The routes were meticulously crafted in collaboration with Shannon Burke, a seasoned cycling guide with over a decade of experience. Safety First: Route selection prioritized safety and scenic beauty. The 1,739 miles of mapped routes offer primarily rural, low-traffic experiences, perfect for a relaxed and enjoyable ride. Focus on Scenery: The program incorporates some of Tennessee's most stunning landscapes, including 14 routes venturing through Tennessee State Parks. Cyclists can expect breathtaking vistas and immersive natural experiences. Economic Boost: Bike Tennessee Fuels Tourism Growth Bike Tennessee isn't just about offering cyclists a fantastic experience; it also has a strategic economic purpose: Tapping into a Growing Trend: Cycling tourism is a thriving industry, and Bike Tennessee positions Tennessee to capitalize on this growing market. Economic Impact: The program aims to leverage the popularity of cycling to increase visitation and economic activity across the state. According to the Outdoor Industry Association, outdoor recreation already generates $11.9 billion for Tennessee.

Chicago has $700M left in debt payments for Solider Field, Hotel Tax revenues falter

— NBCSports.com Last week, Crain’s Chicago Business had a good article discussing the financial issues that the city is facing with the current Bears stadium. Even though the Bears are trying to scam another city into paying for a new stadium, their current one continues to cost the city of Chicago millions of dollars. Basically, the city is running out of money to pay for contractual upgrades to…

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