CLARKSVILLE, TN – Visitors to Montgomery County generated $441.6 million in spending in 2025, representing a 5.3% increase over 2024 and outpacing the statewide growth rate of 2.7%, according to newly released data from Tourism Economics and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.

Statewide, Tennessee’s tourism industry generated a record $32.5 billion in direct visitor spending in 2025 and $3.3 billion in state and local tax revenue. The state’s tourism economy has grown 40% since 2018, nearly double the national growth rate of 22%.

Visitor spending in Montgomery County grew 30.3% during that time, also ahead of the national average, led by increases in dining. The 13 counties of the Greater Nashville region grew a combined average of 3.3%.

“We are thrilled to see a growth in tourism spending of more than 5%,” said Visit Clarksville Board of Directors Chair Patricia Allende. “That money is earned elsewhere and spent here on services for residents. Taxes collected from that spending are a major contributor to public education, public safety, parks, and other local government services and responsibilities. As a resident, I appreciate the work by the Visit Clarksville staff to keep marketing and recruiting events to our community that help offset the taxes I would otherwise pay.”

2025 by the numbers

Here is some data for the impact of that spending, according to research by Tourism Economics, commissioned by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.

  • Every day, visitors spend $1.2 million on lodging, retail, transportation, recreation and dining throughout Montgomery County.
  • An estimated 1.7 million visitors from more than 50 miles away made day trips to Montgomery County, while over 1 million stayed overnight.
  • Direct visitor spending in Montgomery County generated $28 million in state tax revenue and $16.7 million in local tax revenue.
  • If it were not for state and local taxes generated by tourism, each household in Montgomery County would pay $510 more per year in state and local taxes.
  • Visitor-paid taxes support public education and other critical services across Tennessee.
  • Montgomery County ranked 9 among the 95 counties in Tennessee based on visitor spending.

“Tennessee is a sales tax state. The quality of our assets – whether that’s live music or entertainment or outdoors – are attractive to visitors,” said Mark Ezell, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. “Every tax dollar captured from an out-of-state visitor is a dollar retained in Tennessee and used for Tennesseans. It’s incredible to see communities understanding the power of visitor spending and leveraging that spending for the good of their residents.”

2025 Montgomery County tourism highlights

Here are highlights from tourism in Montgomery County during 2025:

  • 36% of Montgomery County spending came from non-residents.
  • 24% of visitor spending happened at locally owned businesses.
  • Top 10 visitor markets: Nashville, Paducah, Atlanta, Knoxville, Memphis, Chicago, Evansville, Louisville, Chattanooga and St Louis.
  • Top visitor experiences: Governor’s Square Mall, Austin Peay State University, Beachaven Vineyards & Winery, Liberty Park, The City Forum, Regal Clarksville, Heritage Park Sports Complex, the F&M Bank Arena, McGregor Park, Old Glory Distilling, Dunbar Cave State Park and Eastland Green.

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