Specialists say Knoxville tourism numbers approaching pre-pandemic ranges

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – After a year at home with no travel plans, people leave home and explore the world. One of their travel destinations is Knoxville.

Officials said the city has seen a huge surge in visitor numbers. Head to Knoxville, which advertises the city as a major convention and tourism destination, and say hotel stays have increased 1,000%.

Officials said the increase was mainly due to an increase in event traffic and an increase in the number of people vacationing in the United States. They said those numbers are nearing pre-pandemic levels.

“We’ve always been on the map as a prime vacation destination,” said Kim Bumpas, President of Visit Knoxville. “And now that everyone is getting out of COVID and figuring out how to travel, it really pays off that we’re a drivable destination.”

She said most people head to Knoxville for outdoor adventure because the Great Smoky Mountains are nearby as well as the city’s extensive Urban Wilderness Trails. The visitor center had people from 40 different states through April.