GEORGIA (WRBL) — On Friday, Gov. Brian Kemp along with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, announced that Georgia has set a new tourism record for the third consecutive year.

For the fifth straight year, Georgia holds the No. 5 spot in the United States for total visitation. This data comes from an annual study conducted by Tourism Economics, as stated by Kemp.

The Georgia Department of Economic Development then measures the economic impact of tourism on the state and its counties.

At the annual Georgia Governor’s Tourism Conference, Kemp disclosed that in the calendar year 2024, an unprecedented 174.2 million domestic and international tourists spent $45.2 billion on hotels, dining, recreation, transportation, and other local businesses across the state.

The current data exceeded last year’s figures by almost 4%, as the tourism sector remains Georgia’s second-largest economic driver, producing an $82 billion statewide economic impact—a 3% increase from the previous year, according to Kemp.

“Georgia’s beautiful landscapes, from the mountains to the coast, along with cultural attractions and lively communities, make our state a premier destination that leaves visitors wanting to come back,” Kemp explained.

He further stated, “We are thankful to the dedicated individuals throughout the state who ensure Georgia consistently shines, contributing significantly to all regions of the Peach State.”

The Georgia Governor’s Tourism Conference was held at the newly expanded Savannah Convention Center.