Visitor Spending
Visitor spending supports our local community
The New Dog Park and Walking Path at Horseshoe Bend Park was made possible through Tourism Product Development Funds (hotel/motel taxes).
In 2023, Fannin County experienced a remarkable economic year, underscoring the vital role the visitor economy plays in the overall economic health of our local community. A visitor economy refers to the total spending by visitors, which includes money spent on lodging, restaurants, attractions, shopping and other services. As we reflect on 2023, it’s essential to understand how tourism acts not just as a revenue generator, but also as a catalyst for supporting the local community. In 2023, visitor spending for overnight accommodations contributed more than $3.2 million in unrestricted funding to Fannin County Government. In addition to that, more than $540,000 of restricted funds went towards product development projects that have enhanced many of our favorite parks (see Horseshoe Bend dog park photo above). These are incredible numbers — and are not inclusive of SPLOST funds!
While we continue to see an increase in visitation numbers — which can be taxing on the local community — it also boosts the success of local businesses,creating a ripple effect throughout our economy. Overall, tourism is a substantial job creator, providing direct and indirect support to numerous households and families in Fannin County and the surrounding area. The tangible impact of visitor spending is clearly illustrated in the graphics on these pages.
Tourism offers a unique platform to showcase our community’s natural resources, rich culture and heritage. If you’ll look at the bottom of this page, you’ll see some of our #lovinglocal initiatives in action, where we ask our visitors to love and appreciate our community the same way we do. This initiative fosters deeper appreciation and awareness of our local treasures, traditions and history, all while instilling a sense of pride and identity within our community.