Tourism

How is tourism connected to health?
How do downtowns benefit tourism?
What opportunities do parks provide?
What are Trails and Byways?
What are Welcome Centers and Rest Areas?
What is sustainable tourism?
What is adventure tourism?
What is ecotourism?
What is green hospitality?
How does tourism support local economies?
Government partners

National Scenic Byways are roadways designated on their archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic qualities.  There are 150 nationally designated byway routes with five located in Tennessee.  The Cherohala Skyway National Scenic Byway in East Tennessee crosses 43 miles through the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests.  Driving at 5,400-foot elevations over the Appalachian Mountains offers quite the unspoiled view.  The East Tennessee Crossing National Scenic Byway stretches 83 miles from the Cumberland Gap to the Cherokee National Forest.  Also known as the Cherokee Warriors’ Path or the Wilderness Road the crossing has been used by Native American tribes, pioneers and settlers.  The Great River Road National Scenic Byway goes 2,069 miles through ten states.  In Tennessee, the Great River Byway connects scenic areas along the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Plain.  The area is rich with fishing and camping sites as well as Civil War history.  The Natchez Trace Parkway National Scenic Byway spans 444 miles from Nashville to Natchez, Mississippi.  The byway came from old animal and settler trails.  The National Park Service ensures the landscape is protected and free of billboards and travel plazas with only hiking trails and camp grounds on the roadsides.  The Woods Trace National Scenic Byway is in the Land Between The Lakes.  The 43 mile drive connects with the natural beauty and recreational areas of alongside the waters of Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley.

What are Welcome Centers and Rest Areas?

In addition to tourist information, Welcome Centers and Rest Areas have places for people and pets to move and be active during breaks of their road weary travels.   The Tennessee Department of Health has been working in partnership with the Department of Tourism to provide walking trails at many of our state rest areas.  Tennessee’s 14 Welcome Centers and 18 Rest Areas allow automobile travelers to stretch, walk, snack, relax and recycle. 

What is sustainable tourism?

Tourism that sustains the environment, culture and heritage of an area can be called sustainable tourism.   Tennessee is a naturally beautiful state and it is important to preserve it for future residents and visitors to enjoy.  Visit the Tennessee Tourism Sustainable Travel webpage for more information about planning a green vacation.

What is adventure tourism?

Adventure tourism often goes to places traditional tourists would not dare.  Adventure tourism is travel that often involves some type of exploration and requires special skills and physical exertion.  Tennessee has several areas where adventure tourism is becoming more popular.  Whitewater rafting on the Hiwassee and Ocoee Rivers would be one example.  Mountain climbing or biking in the Appalachian Mountains are other examples.  Outdoor Knoxville and Appalachian Mountain Bike Club help people find bike trails in East Tennessee.  People enjoy trekking, hang-gliding and zip-lining and other active adventures.  Tennessee Adventure Tourism Districts designate special areas where adventure tourism is popular in Tennessee.

What is ecotourism?

Ecotourism connects people and environmental awareness.  Ecotourism promotes appreciation of nature, conservation of the environment and sustains the local culture.  Ecotourism often takes people to exotic locations; though special skills are not usually required.  Ecotourism is popular for encountering plants and animals in their natural places.  Ecotourism should provide financial benefits for conservation while financially benefiting the local people and the private tourism industry.  Ecotourism is often more than environmentally and socially responsible travel as ecotourists experience personal growth.

What is green hospitality?

Green hospitality is practiced by hotels, restaurants and other businesses that support sustainability, energy savings, recycling and corporate stewardship.  Green hospitality assures guests the places they stay, eat and spend money consider their impact on the environment.  Businesses invested in green hospitality efforts often save money off their bottom line and have a marketing advantage.

How does tourism support local economies?

People enjoy traveling.  Travelers are often physically active going from place to place.  Tourism is good for both people and economy.  Tourists are paying for their travel experience.  Tourism brings jobs like hotel staff, tour guides, transport drivers and restaurant servers.  Tourism increases spending in the local economy from hotel rooms to taxis and food to souvenirs.  Public Health benefits from well planned, designed, built and maintained physical infrastructure as does tourism.  Tourist destinations that are built for people benefit economic development even more.  If tourism is important to your community’s local economy keep in mind preserving land use and cultural sites when planning and designing new infrastructure. Tourism also has social advantages as their tourist destination becomes a matter of pride for the local community.