Tourism is big business in Rutherford County! According to figures released today by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and the U.S. Travel Association, the county saw an increase of 5.5% in tourist spending from 2013 to 2014.

Tourism-related spending in Rutherford County in 2014 increased from $291.52 to $307.47 million, placing Rutherford County in the top 10 counties across the state, for travel-related expenditures.

"The economic impact figures confirmed our belief that 2014 was a very good year for Rutherford County," said Destination Rutherford Chair Bill Jones. "Our numbers continue to increase annually, which tells us that our work toward attracting visitors and boosting our tourism efforts continues to be successful."

Money that tourists spend in Rutherford County at restaurants, hotels, retail stores, entertainment venues and on transportation directly impacts our community-without the money generated by tourism, every household in Rutherford County would pay more in state and local taxes, every single year.

"Each year we look forward to the release of the impact figures" said Peter Tziahanas, Convention and Visitors Bureau Chair. "It is a good barometer for us. Our Convention and Visitors Bureau, along with our tourism partners, work very hard to ensure that our community sees an annual boost in tourist spending."

The Convention and Visitors Bureau is the primary marketing arm of the county and advertises in major national publications as well as maintaining a presence on the internet, social media, and in Tennessee state welcome centers. The CVB produces and distributes several marketing pieces each year, and works closely with event organizers, sporting groups, TSSAA, group tour operators and individual visitors. For more information, visit the CVB's website at www.ReadySetRutherford.com.