Tybee Island. (File)

Georgia broke tourism records last year for the second year in a row, setting an all-time high for visitors, Gov. Brian Kemp announced Tuesday.

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The number of domestic and international visitors to the Peach State increased by 5 million in 2023 to a record 171 million. Georgia maintained its No.-5 ranking among the states for the fourth year in a row.

Georgia travel and tourism generated $79.7 billion in economic impact, supporting more than 463,400 jobs, up more than 20,000 jobs over 2022. The tourism industry also produced a record $5 billion in state and local tax revenues in 2023, an increase of 7.2% over the record set the previous year.

“Georgia continues to grow as a top destination for travelers and businesses alike,” Kemp said Tuesday. “We’ve seen unprecedented visitation across all regions of the Peach State over the last couple years, a testament to the unique attractions, natural resources, and cultural institutions that make Georgia such a desirable place to visit.”

Kemp spoke at the Georgia Governor’s Tourism Conference, the premier annual event for the state’s hospitality industry. The conference was held this year at the Georgia World Congress Center’s new hotel, the Signia by Hilton, in downtown Atlanta.

Dave Williams is the Bureau Chief of Capitol Beat News Service.