MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT) -- A new report says Americans will spend 20 percent less on summer vacations this year and the study also suggests Tennessee is not well placed to cash in on the seasonal dollars that remain.
WMOT reporting partner Wallethub.com used 30 key metrics to compare 80 of the nation’s largest metro areas. Tennessee’s four largest cities did not fare well. Knoxville and Nashville ranked the highest coming in at 40 and 41 respectively.
Wallethub’s Jill Gonzalez says Tennessee has a respectable number of top attractions and the state’s prices are reasonable as well, but she says the state’s four largest cities just aren’t in the same league with the nation’s premier tourist destinations.
“We’re looking at Las Vegas or Orlando, Los Angeles; a lot of these places not only have a lot of attractions -- especially Las Vegas, the most in the country -- but you can still stay there for a meager $30 or $35 a night. That’s really hard to find now.”
Gonzalez says Las Vegas topped the list and Orlando came in third. She says Salt Lake City was a surprise, ranking second as one of the top summer destinations in the country.
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