Stay and See East Tennessee

Published: March 27th, 2008

have you got $600 to $2,000 almost burning a hole in your pocket? since the announcement of the federal government's economic stimulus package, you've probably thought of 150 different ways to spend that money.

well, there's one way to spend it that will help your neighbors, your community and yourself: take a vacation!

when you put your family in the car and drive to cleanest lakes in north america, stay in a floating house and eat every meal out so you don't have to cook or do the dishes, don't even think about the bill - you can feel satisfied that you are a tourism hero. you have made an economic impact.

"i really believe that tourism is the best hope of economic development in many of our rural areas," said terry bobrowski, executive director of the east tennessee development district.

in east tennessee, those tourist expenditures added up to $2.85 billion in 2006. in other words, the tourism industry generated $155 million in state tax revenues and $86 million in local tax revenues. did you know every household in east tennessee saved an average of $370 in 2006 taxes because of tourism? just think of how much you'll save this year because of the federal government's economic stimulus package - but, that's only if you'll spend your money locally!

you've heard, "you live here, so give here." well, "you live here, so play here" applies too. the economic impact of your trip sustains 34,690 jobs and $760 million in resident wages. and, with all the history and heritage, the diversity of activities and the #1 natural attraction and the #1 man-made attraction in the whole state: the great smoky mountain national park and dollywood, why go anywhere else?

"east tennesseans should feel a great sense of pride in the fact that there are an abundance of tourism opportunities to experience in our own backyards," said gloria ray, knoxville tourism & sports corporation president and ceo.  "why vacation in other regions when in knoxville alone you can enjoy world-class performances in the beautifully unique tennessee theatre, learn about interesting animals native to tennessee at the knoxville zoo and enjoy some of the best shopping, restaurants and music in knoxville's market square?" 

did you know?

•·         dandridge is one of the oldest towns in tennessee and the only town in america to be named after america's first, first lady, martha dandridge custis washington. this quaint, historic town has preserved many of its historic buildings and offers a glimpse into history. the jefferson county courthouse built in 1845 houses a museum that has many historic photographs and is the same courthouse that the legendary davy crockett ventured to in order to obtain his marriage license. (http://www.jefferson-tn-chamber.org/dandridge.htm)

•·         tennessee has more than 3,800 documented caves. the guinness book of world records lists the "lost sea" in sweetwater as the largest underground lake in the u.s. (http://www.state.tn.us/education/webfacts.shtml)

•·         norris lake is one of the cleanest lakes in north america. over 34,000 acres in between 800 miles of shoreline provide endless fun-filled activities including boating, waterskiing, fishing, swimming, golfing, scuba diving, hiking, camping and relaxing. with hundreds of secluded coves, 3 state parks, 2 wildlife management areas and 59 public access sites, it's no wonder norris lake has become a favorite vacation destination. (http://www.jefferson-tn-chamber.org/dandridge.htm)

•·         during wwii, oak ridge was the 5th largest city in tennessee, had the 6th largest bus transit system in the u.s., utilized 13 percent of the nation's electricity and yet, few people knew it existed. oak ridge did not appear on a map until 1949. today, you can ride the secret city excursion train, departing from the heritage center near oak ridge and winding through the historic department of energy facility and the k-25 manhattan project site, where research and development plunged the u.s. into the atomic age. (http://oakridgevisitor.com/faq.html)

 when was the last time you visited the fort loudon state historical park and sequoyah birthplace museum in vonore (the cherokee silversmith, sequoyah, was the only known man in the history of the world to single-handedly develop an alphabet), or the sam houston schoolhouse in maryville (tennessee's oldest schoolhouse)? east tennessee has a stunning diversity of activities. whether your family needs to bond over shopping at the largest outlets in the southeast in sevierville or over a scenic drive through the great smoky mountain national park, you'll find the best vacation destinations all within a tank of gas. for more information about these attractions and more, visit vacationeasttennessee.org.

ray said, "we always say - ‘it's all here, just for you. enjoy!'"

so, get the most out of your tax rebate; don't spend it all on gasoline driving to another state. staying in east tennessee means you will have a fantastic vacation and that you will attain hero status. don't be surprised if there's a parade in your honor.

 

sources: travel industry of america, the economic impact of travel on tennessee counties 2006; u.s. census bureau, the tennessee department of tourist development, tourism institute at the university of tennessee

note: because of the nature of the research, 2006 figures are the most current. the 2007 figures will be released by the tennessee department of tourist development in the fall of 2008.

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