Savannah Tourism Spurs Economic Growth: Record Spending and Extended Stays Drove Prosperity in 2023
Longwoods International, a renowned authority in tourism and travel research, has unveiled its highly anticipated 2023 Travel USA Report, offering a comprehensive analysis of the domestic travel landscape within the United States. Among the report's highlights is the remarkable performance of Savannah's tourism sector, reflecting a vibrant destination poised for sustained growth.
Savannah, in particular, emerges as a standout destination, with 69% of its visitors being repeat travelers, demonstrating the city's impressive allure and ability to captivate visitors time and again. Impressively, 39% of overnight travelers to Savannah had previously visited within the past 12 months, indicating a solid penchant for return visits among visitors.
Joseph Marinelli, President and CEO of Visit Savannah, expressed his satisfaction with the report's findings, emphasizing the city's success in providing a fulfilling visitor experience. "What we are most pleased about is that our visitors stay longer and spend more when they are here," Marinelli remarked. "That should tell all of us that the overall Savannah visitor experience, when it comes to lodging, dining, and activities, is meeting the needs and expectations of our customers. A goal we all strive for every day."
The report highlights a remarkable 6.5% surge in visitor spending compared to 2022, reaching a substantial $4.7 billion. Additionally, the average length of stay in Savannah increased from 2.3 nights in 2022 to 2.8 nights. In summary, in 2022, only 3 out of 10 visitors stayed for three nights, most opting for a two-night stay. However, in 2023, 8 out of 10 visitors extended their stay to three nights, indicating a growing desire among travelers to immerse themselves in the city's rich cultural experiences.
Notably, Savannah has successfully mitigated seasonality concerns, boasting a nearly perfect distribution of visitors throughout the year, with 26% of visitors arriving each quarter. This balanced influx of tourists not only contributes to the city's economic vitality but also sustains approximately 30,000 jobs annually within the hospitality and tourism sector.
Todd Costin, General Manager of Hyatt Regency Savannah and current Visit Savannah Chair, expressed enthusiasm regarding the report's findings, particularly emphasizing the significance of visitors' support for locally-owned businesses. "Seeing the stats about how two-thirds of our visitors intentionally support locally-owned businesses is encouraging," Costin remarked. "Savannah's vast array of local makers, from craft breweries and unique culinary products to specialty apparel and accessories, seems to be exactly what our visitors are looking for when they are here."
As Savannah continues to flourish as a premier tourist destination, the insights gleaned from the 2023 Travel USA Report underscore the hospitality community's resilience, appeal, and unwavering commitment to delivering Savannah’s signature southern hospitality to travelers from across the globe.
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About Visit Savannah
Visit Savannah serves as the official destination marketing organization for the Savannah / Chatham County area and is committed to driving increased visitor spending, economic vitality, and quality of life for the region while continually building upon Savannah's image as a world-class destination. For more information, visit www.visitsavannah.com.