Athens, Ga. (November 12, 2024) – Visit Athens GA, the official tourism marketing organization for Athens, Georgia, announced record-breaking economic contributions to Athens-Clarke County from the hospitality and tourism sectors and recognized the winners of the Athens Hospitality Awards at its annual meeting held at The Classic Center.
Key highlights include:
- Visitors to Clarke County directly generated $32.4 million in state and local taxes, saving every household an equivalent of $608 in taxes.
- Visitor spending reached $454 million, marking a 4.4% increase from the previous year.
- Tourism supported 4,456 local jobs in Clarke County.
According to the Travel Economic Impact on Georgia State report, Georgia set a new visitation record for the second consecutive year, with 171 million domestic and international visitors. These travelers spent a record $43.6 billion on accommodations, dining, transportation and other local businesses, generating $5 billion in state and local tax revenues. The total economic impact of Georgia's travel and tourism industry reached $79.7 billion, supporting over 463,400 jobs statewide.
“It’s a remarkable achievement for Athens’ tourism and hospitality industry to reach these impactful economic milestones, benefiting our community’s businesses,” said Katie Williams, executive director of Visit Athens GA. “Athens offers a rich selection of hotels, restaurants and retailers for travelers, providing memorable experiences for visitors while significantly boosting our county’s economy.”
The 2023 Athens Hospitality Awards were also presented during the meeting, celebrating exceptional contributions to Athens-Clarke County’s vibrant, inclusive tourism environment. The award winners are:
The Partner of the Year Award, which honors a local partner in the hospitality industry who demonstrates the value of working together to achieve excellence, was presented to Anna Joerschke of Benson’s Hospitality Group (BHG). Since joining BHG in 2016, Joerschke has progressed from guest service representative to Inside Sales Coordinator. She holds an associate’s degree in Hotel, Motel and Restaurant Management from Athens Tech, a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Piedmont and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Business from Piedmont.
The Hospitality HERO (Hospitality Employees Recognition) of the Year Award, recognizing frontline staff who excel in customer service, went to Maria Alarcon, a dedicated hospitality professional with 12 years of experience at Hotel Indigo. Known for her reliability and warm, welcoming demeanor, she greets every guest with a friendly smile and genuine enthusiasm. Her deep love for the industry and commitment to excellence make her a true Hospitality Hero, consistently going above and beyond to create memorable experiences. With a reputation for punctuality and professionalism, Maria stands out as a shining star in the hospitality world.
The Classic Host Award, showcasing a local individual committed to bringing a new convention, meeting or event to the Athens-Clarke County area that increases economic impact, was awarded to Dusty Smith. Smith is the Chief Operating Officer for the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders, where he has served for 16 years. He is a recipient of the Varsity Brands Go Be Great Award and a graduate of the University of North Georgia. Dusty also serves on the Georgia 4H advisory committee
The Louis Griffith Hospitality Leadership Award, honoring a distinguished individual who displays preparedness and outstanding leadership skills to impact the Athens-Clarke County hospitality industry, was given to Dr. Jack Crowley, Professor Emeritus at the University of Georgia. A respected urban planner and geographer with over 50 years of experience, he holds a BA, MRCP and PhD from the University of Oklahoma, and previously studied architecture, business and Arabic. Dr. Crowley’s career includes roles as Planning Director in Seminole, Oklahoma, and Executive Director of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area Planning Commission. As VP at Williams Realty Corp., he led over $2 billion in mixed-use projects nationwide. A Fellow of both the AICP and ASLA, he advises cities globally and supports sustainable development in Central America with Escuela Agricola Panamerica el Zamorano.
Editors Notes:
High-resolution images of the award recipients are available for download here.
Videos shown at the Annual Meeting are below:
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About Visit Athens GA
Visit Athens GA is the official destination marketing organization for Athens-Clarke County, Ga, providing roadmaps for visitors and residents to personal, creative journeys through the destination. Its primary goal is to increase the economic impact of the hospitality and visitor industry by attracting individual visitors, groups and meetings and conventions to Athens. Tourism works for Athens, contributing more than $454 million in spending, $32.4 million in local and state tax revenue in 2023 and putting more than 4,400 people to work.
About Athens, GA
Located 60 miles outside of Atlanta, Athens is a beloved destination for University of Georgia alumni and football fans, as well as an emerging cultural hub in the Southeast. From live music to museums and gardens to creative chefs and artists, Athens is always open for new experiences from day to night. The vibe and energy that gave birth to R.E.M., the B-52s and Widespread Panic is alive and well today through a variety of events and attractions, like the Athens Music Walk of Fame. Gorgeous historic districts, lively annual festivals and acclaimed dining options complete the blend of eclectic Southern charm and vibrant creative energy. Lodging is available for every budget, including modern inns, hotels, B&B’s and short-term rentals. For more information, visit www.VisitAthensGA.com.
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