After higher than expected tourism revenue this spring, local officials expect to see an additional increase in tourism this summer, according to Chattanooga Convention and Visitors Bureau Director of Tourism Shelda Spencer Rees.
“We’ve already seen an increase in numbers and it’s great,” she said. “It’s got us a great footing for the summer.”
In addition to the boost from this spring, Rees said she thinks high gas prices may be another factor in bringing more people to Chattanooga versus other destinations farther away.
“We like to focus on our drive markets,” she said. “There are about 9.5 million people that live less than three hours’ drive from Chattanooga. Most of the people who visit usually drive, and we’re lucky to have three interstates that cluster to us.”
School being out earlier this summer and the fact that many people in the region spent the better part of last summer cleaning up from the April 27 tornadoes instead of traveling are likely additional reasons the numbers are already up this summer, according to Rees.