As residents of Savannah, Tybee Island and Chatham County, we live in a place cherished not only by us but by millions of visitors from around the world. Our city’s charm, history, and hospitality have made it a must-see destination for travelers. However, tourism is more than just visitors admiring our streets; it’s a crucial driver of our local economy, directly impacting the livelihoods of nearly 30,000 of our friends, family members and neighbors who work in tourism and hospitality.
The role of Visit Savannah is to promote and market our city and region to attract visitors and, with them, visitor spending. In 2023 alone, this effort generated nearly $4.5 billion in visitor spending—yes, billion with a B—boosting businesses, generating tax revenues, and supporting jobs across Chatham County. Tourism truly is economic development, and its reach is felt in almost every corner of our community.
But as much as tourism drives our local economy, it also shapes our daily lives in many ways. We saw that firsthand in early 2020, when the pandemic caused an unprecedented drop in tourism. Over 90% of jobs in tourism and hospitality vanished almost overnight, a sharp reminder of how interconnected we are with this industry. Thankfully, thanks to the resilience of our destination and the continued demand to visit Savannah, we bounced back quicker than many other parts of the country.