Newly released data from Tourism Economics and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development reveals that Hamilton County generated $1,732,526,000 in visitor spending in 2023, marking a 6.36% increase from the previous year.
“Hamilton County’s continued growth in tourism highlights the incredible efforts of our community and its dedication to remaining a premier destination,” says Barry White, Chattanooga Tourism Co. President and CEO. “The success we’re experiencing not only boosts our local economy but also strengthens our businesses and supports essential community initiatives.
“As we celebrate this achievement, we remain dedicated to furthering our efforts to attract visitors and showcase the exceptional experiences that make Hamilton County a special place to live and visit.”
The 2023 Economic Impact on Travel Report offers a comprehensive analysis of spending and visitation patterns from both domestic and international travelers. It also includes an interactive online dashboard, providing the latest state and county information.
“Tennessee tourism is soaring, leading to benefits to Tennesseans,” said Mark Ezell, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. “Thanks to our destination marketing organizations across the state, in addition to our leisure and hospitality businesses in this amazing accomplishment. The record growth is a testament to the strength, resilience, determination and efforts of our people and the work of our industry in bringing visitors to enjoy why Tennessee Sounds Perfect.”
Other Hamilton County finding include:
• Hamilton County ranked #5 among the 95 counties in Tennessee.
• Visitor spending in Hamilton County generated $179,372,400 in state and local tax revenue.
• If it were not for state and local taxes generated by tourism, each Hamilton County household would pay $1,205 more in state and local taxes.
• Visitor spending directly supported 12,770 jobs in Hamilton County.
In 2023, Tennessee tourism generated a record $30.6 billion in direct visitor spending and welcomed 144 million visitors to the state. This influx of tourism also contributed $3.2 billion in direct state and local tax revenues.
Tennessee gas prices fall 9 cents to $2.82 average
Tennessee gas prices continued to fall last week 9 cents on average.
Tennessee also moved to No. 3 among the least-expensive markets in the country with an average of $2.82, which is 20 cents less expensive than one month ago and 55 cents less than one year ago.
After idling over the Labor Day weekend, the national average fell 6 cents to $3.27. Key contributors are low gas demand and the plunging cost of oil, which is about $70 a barrel.
Clarksville, Chattanooga and Cleveland have the cheapest gas in the state at $2.67-$2.77.
Study: RSV vaccine cuts hospitalization risk
The respiratory syncytial virus can be particularly dangerous for older people with chronic medical conditions.
Each year in the United States, RSV infections in older adults result in up to 160,000 hospitalizations and as many as 10,000 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which in June 2023 recommended RSV vaccination for adults age 60 and older.
As an initial evaluation of this recommendation, a large multicenter study led by the CDC and Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that adults 60 and older who received an RSV vaccine were significantly less likely to be hospitalized with RSV than those who were not vaccinated.
The researchers studied adults 60 and older who were hospitalized with acute respiratory illness and compared RSV vaccination in patients with RSV and those with no RSV infection. The study was conducted in 19 states between October 2023 and March 2024.
The results, published Sept. 4 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, demonstrated that RSV vaccination was 75% effective in preventing RSV-associated hospitalizations. The study was led by the Investigating Respiratory Viruses in the Acutely Ill Network, which is coordinated from VUMC.
The results of the study were presented to CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices this spring.
In June, the CDC strengthened its recommendation for RSV vaccination, and it now recommends that all adults 75 and older and those 60 to 74 who are at increased risk for severe RSV disease receive RSV vaccination.
Common App streamlines UT undergrad applications
Prospective college students can now apply to any or all undergraduate University of Tennessee campuses through a single application, the Common App, simplifying the admissions process and expanding opportunities for students in Tennessee and beyond.
The Common App is a nonprofit organization that connects over 1 million students each year to more than 1,100 colleges and universities across all 50 U.S. states and 18 countries, with one-third of these students being first-generation.
As of Sept. 3, UT Chattanooga, UT Southern and UT Martin have joined UT Knoxville on the Common App.
The inclusion of all UT undergraduate campuses on the Common App is another step in the University’s broader efforts to make higher education attainable for all. This initiative complements other UT programs, like guaranteed admissions for top-performing Tennessee high school students and the expansion of the UT Promise scholarship program, which covers tuition and mandatory fees for Tennessee students with an annual household income of $75,000 or less.
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Realtor.com: Inventory highest in four-plus years
Home shoppers are looking at more options to choose from this fall as the number of homes for sale sits at the highest level since May 2020 and rates are poised to start coming down.
The number of homes actively for sale grew by 35.8% in August, the 10th straight month of growth, according to the Realtor.com August Housing Trends Report.
At the same time, home sellers pulled back, with -0.9% fewer newly listed homes on the market compared with last year.
The median price of homes for sale this August decreased by 1.3% compared with last year, at $429,990, however, the median price per square foot grew by 2.3%, indicating that the inventory of smaller and more affordable homes continues to grow in share. Homes spent 53 days on the market, the slowest August in five years.
There were 35.8% more homes actively for sale on a typical day in August compared with the same time in 2023, marking the 10th consecutive month of annual inventory growth and the highest count post-pandemic. This is a slight deceleration from July, which was up 36.6% year-over-year.
This is the second consecutive month where the rate of growth has decreased from the prior month.
While inventory this August certainly continues to improve, it is still down 26.4% compared with August 2019 levels. This is a slight improvement from last month’s 28.7% gap.
Erlanger recognized for high-quality stroke care
Erlanger Baroness Hospital and Erlanger East Hospital have received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award for their commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines. This ultimately leads to more lives saved and reduced disability.
Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts.
When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and accelerating recovery times.