Atlanta set a new tourism record in 2012, welcoming 40.4 million visitors, the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) announced last week, reporting a 28 percent increase in visitation over the past decade alongside more than $5 billion in new attractions, restaurants and hotels during the same 10-year period.
“Today is an historic day for Atlanta and its hospitality industry and confirms Atlanta’s position as one of the country’s top travel destinations,” ACVB President and CEO William Pate said in a statement.
According to ACVB, the city plans to continue its growth momentum with an additional $2.5 billion in development through 2017. Among the new attractions will be the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, the College Football Hall of Fame and Atlanta Streetcar — a new streetcar line linking Atlanta’s downtown hotel district with convention space and tourist attractions — all of which are opening in 2014, followed by the completion of a new retractable roof football stadium for the Atlanta Falcons in 2017.
“Tourism is one of the top economic drivers for Atlanta and it’s an industry that continues to thrive,” said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. “We are proud that Atlanta welcomed more than 40 million visitors in 2012 and with all of the exciting development occurring in our city, this number will continue to grow.”
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