CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) — A new study says tourism spending in Tennessee last year grew at twice the overall inflation rate.
The Chattanooga Times Free-Press says the U.S. Travel study shows tourism spending helps support about one of every 20 jobs in Tennessee.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam said Friday that the state's tourism industry grew by 3.3 percent in 2013 to more than $27 billion.
The industry employs 236,200 workers in Tennessee.
Haslam says to sustain and grow that number, the state needs to continue to support taxpayer advertising and marketing campaigns.
The governor made the comments to the Governor's Conference on Hospitality & Tourism.
Haslam says that in a state with no income tax, Tennessee relies heavily on sales and other taxes, and tourism is a prime generator of those revenues.