NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The city of Nashville has concerts, festivals and football all planned for residents and visitors alike this weekend.
All the activities are part of why officials said that city is having its best tourism year in history. Tax collections are up 24 percent over 2011.
Victors have come from far and wide for a little county music and southern food, Some even as far as Chicago, Cincinnati and even Toronto Canada. The lure of Nashville brings people from halfway around the world.
And this weekend Nashville is earning its stripes as Music City. The Zac Brown Band is scheduled to take the state Friday night as part of the Southern Ground festival. Then on Saturday Carrie Underwood will fill Bridgestone arena on Saturday. Add in Food festivals, whiskey festivals and don't forget the Titans and this weekend will turn out to be one of the best yet for local tax dollars.
"Hotels are doing really well. They are full across the city," said Deana Ivey, with the Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Officials at the Visitors Bureau said this weekend is just part of the bigger picture.
"Nashville has had an outstanding year as far as tourism goes, we have done better than any other year in history, said Ivey.
Forbes listed it as the number three boom town. Rolling Stone ranked it number one for music. Now it seems tourists are catching on that's more to Nashville than boots and Broadway. The Convention and Visitors Bureau said hotel tax revenue is up 24 percent this year compared to 2011.
