GOVERNOR BREDESEN ADDRESSES TOURISM CONFERENCE

(MURFREESBORO, TENN)

Sept. 18, 2009 - Governor Phil Bredesen today addressed an audience of tourism professionals during the 2009 Tennessee Governor's Conference on Tourism in Murfreesboro, Tenn. "Getting to the Heart of the Matter: Tourism Strategies for Tough Times" was the conference theme. Bredesen commended the industry on continued growth, even during these challenging economic times.

Tourism brought $14.4 billion in direct economic impact to the state, providing more than $1 billion in sales tax revenue, an increase of 1.5 percent. Tourism employs more than 182,000 Tennesseans.

"Each year of my administration we have been able to report an increase in tourism's economic impact to Tennessee. Given the challenges our nation is facing in the current economic climate, I am particularly pleased this year is no different," said Bredesen. "These numbers attest to the quality of Tennessee's tourism offerings and reflect the continued success of the efforts of those who work in our tourism industry."

Commissioner Susan Whitaker presented her annual state of the industry address before the Governor's speech, including an announcement of the latest U.S. Travel Association numbers. Those numbers confirm tourism's continued expansion as one of Tennessee's key economic drivers. For the second consecutive year, Tennessee ranks in the top 10 U.S. states for domestic visitation:  ranking 8th in person-days, and 9th in person-stays (moving up from 10th) in 2008.

Commissioner Whitaker also announced the upcoming launch of Discover Tennessee Trails and Byways, a statewide trails initiative encompassing all 95 counties and slated to launch in November. Discover Tennessee Trails and Byways will feature 14 regional trails throughout Tennessee with dynamic names such as "Ring of Fire" Trail, "Proud Mary" Trail and "Walking Tall" Trail. Three statewide-themed trails, Music, Motorcycle and Civil War Trails, are also part of the Discover Tennessee Trails and Byways plan.

The Discover Tennessee Trails and Byways initiative provides excellent state agency partnership opportunities including joint participation with the Tennessee Department of Transportation and the Byways Program, Environment and Conservation's State Parks, and Economic and Community Development's Main Street and Three-Star Programs.

"The trails initiative is one of the most comprehensive marketing and branding initiatives ever to be launched from the state's tourism department," said Whitaker. "Discover Tennessee Trails and Byways is an opportunity to showcase tourism's major sites as well as our state's exceptional off-the-beaten-path attractions which are some of Tennessee's greatest assets."

The Governor's Conference on Tourism exists to inform, update, and inspire tourism partners from across the state through keynote speakers, seminars, networking and the annual state of the industry presentation. The event is a partnership between the Department of Tourism and the Tennessee Tourism Roundtable.

For more information, contact Cindy Dupree, director of communications for the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, at (615) 418-5752, or by e-mail at Cindy.Dupree@tn.gov.

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