How East Tennessee counties benefit from billions in visitor spending

by: Naomi Hillmer

Posted: Apr 2, 2026 / 04:51 PM EDT

Updated: Apr 2, 2026 / 05:22 PM EDT

MARYVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — With over 12 million people visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park each year, East Tennessee serves as a hub for visitors passing through, looking to stay, or carrying on family traditions.  

While Sevier County may see the most visitors in our region, each county gives a distinct visitor experience for both locals, and tourists to enjoy.  

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“Tourism is one of the huge economic drivers in Blount County,” said Blount Partnership Communications Director Jeff Muir. “There’s 95 counties in the state and Blount County ranks eighth among those in visitor spending. Spending over $610 million last year equates to over 5,000 jobs, which means over $219 million in labor activity.”

While Blount County may be known as the peaceful side, Blount Partnership said it still has much to offer.  

“One of our lodging owners says we’re “peaceful with the pulse,” and so we are peaceful, we are quiet, calm areas for people to come visit. But there are certainly plenty of things to do, and so that’s our pulse, that’s what keeps us driving,” said Muir.  

From dining, to camping, fishing, horseback riding and more, Blount County taps into the outdoor experience, but so does Cocke County. 

“We are known for outdoor activities, and with this being right down the road and having this opportunity to loop through the mountains and to really see the growth and see the natural beauty that we have surrounding us, just right outside of town is really great. And you might not think of it as Sevier county, but these are all of our mountains,” said Caroline Bean, Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau communications manager.  

Known as the “adventure side” of the Smokies, rafting was one of the first tourism destinations to open Cocke County after Hurricane Helene, and it is those tourism dollars that support Tennesseans.

“It’s an incredible thing to have a state that has great tourism assets. We’re a sales tax state in Tennessee. We love that we don’t have a personal income tax as a resident. What it means is the more visitors come and they spend their money and that sales tax revenue, it benefits the whole residents of all of Tennessee,” said Tennessee Department of Tourist Development commissioner Mark Ezell.

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Between Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Sevierville, Sevier County ranks third in the state for visitor spending.  

“So they generate a tremendous amount of sales tax, which allows us as a city to keep our property taxes low and allows us to have some of the best public services that you can buy,” said Pigeon Forge Director of Tourism Leon Downey.  

While this visitor spending keeps taxes down for residents, it also brings a number of new experiences for the people who live here.   

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“A huge aspect of the local economy, local visitors, people experiencing the Smokies, so they may live in Knoxville or they may live in Sevier county, but I think it’s really kind of a regional economy, and so what’s good for one is probably good for all,” said Muir.  

He added that a growing facet of their tourism industry is its culinary draw, with The Restaurant at RT Lodge in Maryville recently making its way into the Michelin Guide.