(Cleveland)- White County Chamber of Commerce today announced that the Georgia tourism industry generated $83.66 million in direct, domestic traveler expenditures in White County in 2019, according to the U.S. Travel Association.
The study, made available through Explore Georgia, the tourism division within the Georgia Department of Economic Development, reported travel and tourism created $3.67 million in state tax revenues and generated $2.37 million in local tax revenues for White County and its cities in 2019.
Each household in White County would need to be taxed an additional $517 per year to replace taxes generated by tourism activity. The industry also supported more than 703 jobs and created $18.76 million in payroll for the county. In 2019, the unemployment rate in White County was 2.6%. Without the jobs supported by the tourism industry, it would have been 7.0%.
While 2019 was another growth year for tourism, businesses in White County have thrived with a stronger 2020 despite the ravages of a global pandemic.
“The entrepreneurial spirit of the White County business leaders, the flexible nature of our elected leaders, and the ongoing marketing efforts have allowed White County to continue to thrive as Georgia’s Outdoor Adventure Destination,” says Beth Truelove, President of White County Chamber of Commerce. “We look to continue this momentum into 2021 and beyond as more family-friendly product is being developed”
