Ezell acknowledged that higher gas prices and other economic pressures could affect how people travel.
He said visitors may choose less expensive accommodations or shorten a trip from three nights to two, but the desire to travel and create family memories remains strong.
And East Tennessee, he said, is particularly well positioned because of its drive-to tourism market.
“When gas prices have gone up, somebody might decide to drive to a place instead of fly to a place,” Ezell said. “Well, no better drive market than East Tennessee.”
The state’s tourism industry includes everything from the outdoors and mountain destinations to live music, restaurants and other attractions.
Ezell said Tennessee’s ability to offer those experiences will remain important as the industry works to attract repeat visitors.
The state’s 2025 tourism growth follows another record year in 2024, when visitors spent $31.7 billion in Tennessee.
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