Atlanta
set a record for visitation in a single year.
Atlanta
Mayor Kasim Reed and Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau
President & CEO William Pate announced that Atlanta welcomed 40.4
million visitors in 2012.
Visitation
has increased by 28 percent over the past decade alongside more than
$5 billion in new attractions, restaurants and hotels in the same
timeframe. The increase has pushed Atlanta to become one of the top
destinations for travelers from across the U.S.
"Today
is an historic day for Atlanta and its hospitality industry and
confirms Atlanta's position as one of the country's top travel
destinations," said William Pate , president and CEO of Atlanta
Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Atlanta's
hospitality industry looks to continue this growth by opening another
$2.5 billion in development by 2017. The National Center for Civil
and Human Rights, College Football Hall of Fame and Atlanta Streetcar
are all slated to open in downtown Atlanta during 2014, further
bolstering the city's offering to tourists. Ponce City Market and
Buckhead Atlanta will also bring two unique shopping experiences to
the city and continued progress on the BeltLine will offer new
pathways to explore the city. In 2017, the Atlanta Falcons will move
to a new, retractable roof stadium that will be used to support the
city's thriving meetings and events industry.
"Tourism
is one of the top economic drivers for Atlanta and it's an industry
that continues to thrive," said Mayor Kasim Reed . "We are
proud that Atlanta welcomed more than 40 million visitors in 2012 and
with all of the exciting development occurring in our city, this
number will continue to grow."
Domestic
visitation estimates are produced by D.K. Shifflet & Associates
Ltd., a travel research firm, specializing in consumer-based travel
data on U.S. residents and their travel.
Celebrating
100 years of hospitality, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau is
a private, nonprofit organization created to favorably impact the
Atlanta economy through conventions and tourism.
