Augusta tourism departments broke down the income and occupancy numbers throughout their annual celebration on the Miller Theater on Monday, Nov. 13.
Hosted by Vacation spot Augusta, Go to Augusta and the Augusta Sports activities Council, occasions showcased over $53 million in financial influence and nearly surpassed 200,000 mixed attendees in 2023.
Bennish Brown, president of Vacation spot Augusta, mentioned that tourism and journey are breaking information earlier proven prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“For the reason that pandemic, a part of my report tonight is saying when you have a look at a few of our lodge properties for instance, they’re saying they’re seeing historic ranges of income and occupancy,” Brown mentioned. “Individuals are touring once more and since 2019 we now have come a good distance and with my crew, we are going to most likely not confer with 2019 once more as a result of so many new benchmarks are being set.
“2019 was a excessive mark throughout this nation and when you had been to speak to any tourism workplace, the 2019 numbers, yearly began rising and when you checked out traits it was wonderful. New traits are being set and Augusta has been in a position to trip a few of that wave as nicely.”
In keeping with a three-year pattern chart, occupancy, demand and income numbers have elevated 10 % since 2019. As well as customer spending has nearly doubled since 2013, going from $478.7 million to $813 million.
“Our guests have an unimaginable financial influence on our metropolis and I’m excited to have a good time the successes of Vacation spot Augusta and the Augusta Sports activities Council and Movie Augusta. Pleased with these organizations and the excellent work that they promote and develop our metropolis,” Mayor Garnett Johnson mentioned.
Sports activities tourism contributed to the hospitality trade, in line with Michelle Pippin, CEO of the Augusta Sports activities Council.
“When sporting occasions like these come into city, there may be a lot extra than simply the heads and beds and financial influence numbers that you simply hear and see,” Pippin mentioned. “I can let you know that our employees can not do it alone. Recruiting and servicing these occasions like these nationally identified manufacturers are our bread and butter however I’d additionally like to acknowledge our native sports activities teams that they collectively contribute to the expansion of sports activities tourism to our economic system.”
