After more than two decades, the Tennessee Aquarium is still helping power the Chattanooga economy, with a new study saying it generates $101.3 million a year.
“People are coming here, spending the night, eating in restaurants, doing multiple things while they’re here and bringing their families,” said aquarium President Charlie Arant. “That’s why we get such a high economic impact.”
The first detailed study of the tourist attraction’s economic effect in about 20 years says the revenue fuels nearly 1,100 jobs in Hamilton County.
BY THE NUMBERS
$101.3M Aquarium’s annual economic impact$67.7MAnnual goods and services bought by aquarium visitors from area businesses$2.2MFree student admissions and program support for education groups and nonprofits annually
Area businesses garner an estimated $67.7 million annually from goods and services bought by aquarium visitors, according to the study by the University of Tennessee Center for Sustainable Business and Development.