NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Tourism money is coming to Tennessee in record numbers.
The state hosted 119 million U.S. tourists last year, a big jump from the 113 million tourists the year before.
It also brought in a record $22 billion from those tourists.
Tennessee is outpacing the nation in growth of travel tax revenue, expenditures, payroll and employment.
The tourism industry brought more than $50 million new tax dollars to the state. That equals $712 per household.
But, Governor Lee is still pushing for tourism growth in rural communities.
Tourism is Tennessee's second largest industry, following agriculture.
