Five Ways Georgia is Creating the Future of Travel
This National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), May 1-7, there is more reason than ever to celebrate the strength and promising future of Georgia’s travel and tourism industry.
Explore Georgia, the tourism division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, joins others across the U.S. travel industry in recognizing the critical role the industry plays in our local economy, fostering sustainability, ushering in new innovations and reconnecting Americans to each other and the world.
Travel is not only an important part of who we are as a community, it’s a powerful economic engine, supporting jobs and driving local economies. In 2019, Georgia travel and tourism generated a total economic impact of $69 billion and supported 484,000 jobs.
While the industry was hit hard by the impacts of Covid, travel demand remained strong in Georgia. Thanks to the leadership of Governor Brian Kemp and our General Assembly, we are recovering and repositioning for future growth. Our “open-for-business” approach helped Georgia increase market share, moving from No. 7 in 2019 to No. 5 in 2020 for domestic overnight trips, according to market research firm Longwoods International.
That’s why here in Georgia, we are using NTTW to recognize the contributions of the travel industry and highlight five ways we are creating the future of travel in our state by reimagining the industry to become more sustainable, diverse, innovative, and globally competitive than ever before.
1. Sustainability
Georgia attracts more than 152 million domestic and international guests each year, including to destinations along the coast such as Jekyll Island. Celebrating its 75th anniversary as a State Park this year, Jekyll Island is preserving its critical barrier island ecosystem and sustaining natural features such as Driftwood Beach. From historic preservation to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, the island educates visitors, and the conservation staff is committed to maintaining the delicate balance between nature and humankind. With the right plans in place, travelers can see and experience our state, while also protecting it.
2. Diversity
The future of travel reflects and incorporates diverse people, places and points of view. Thanks to the unique characteristics that make Georgia’s large cities and small towns like Thomasville so distinct, our state will benefit from this trend. Atlanta was recognized as the only U.S. city in National Geographic’s Best of the World 2022 and Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2022 for its role in culture and history. Our capital city has led the way in championing and celebrating diversity, from the National Center for Civil and Human Rights to new travel guides that amplify underrepresented voices and opportunities. We strive to foster welcoming experiences for every traveler.
3. Innovation
From new tourism products to workforce development, cities throughout Georgia are committed to investing in innovations that are integral to both leisure and business travel. Technological advancements like electric vehicle (EV) charging stations (Georgia has more than 1,470 public charging stations and over 30,000 EVs on the road!), mobile visitor centers in cities like Roswell and Columbus, and other innovative technologies are improving the travel experience and attracting more visitors to our state. In Athens, the new Classic Center Arena opening in 2023 will provide the ability to transform for any event and is expected to generate an estimated $30 million annual economic impact. By investing in travel and tourism innovations, we are stimulating future demand.
4. Global Competitiveness
Promoting America as a premier destination for global travelers has never been more important. Savannah has been exemplary in connecting with the global community and safely welcoming travelers. The city has received numerous accolades including Tripadvisor’s “Top 10 Most Popular Destinations in the U.S. 2022,” TIME’s “World’s Greatest Places 2021,” Global Traveler’s “Best Weekend Destination in North America 2021,” and U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Places to Visit in the USA 2021,” to name a few. Increasing our global competitiveness is key to reviving our economy and ensuring a return to smarter, stronger growth.
5. In Person
Business travel and in-person professional meetings are irreplaceable and critical to the tourism industry’s recovery. Cities across Georgia spearheaded the return to safe, in-person meetings and are expanding their facilities and offerings for groups of all sizes. To start the week, Explore Georgia’s Deputy Commissioner for Tourism Mark Jaronski joined Dr. John Salazar, Coordinator of Hospitality and Food Industry Management and Associate Professor at the University of Georgia, as well as Dr. Ashley Barfield, Director of Tourism Research for Explore Georgia, to deliver the keynote address at UGA’s inaugural Georgia Hospitality and Tourism Summit in Athens to a sold-out audience. In Columbus, a variety of professional meetings are underway, including the Southern States Athletic Conference, the Aflac Northern Ireland Training Program, and more. The personal connections made at meetings and events are evidence that, while sometimes convenient, virtual meetings can’t match in-person relationships.
From the mountains to the coast, Georgia’s travel and tourism industry contributes so much to our local economy and the spirit of our community. We are focusing on a future where travel is the heartbeat of our communities and businesses, welcoming travelers from around the globe to dive into what can only be experienced here in our state. As we continue to shift our focus forward, Georgia is defining the future of travel.
Learn more at ExploreGeorgia.org.
– May 5, 2022