NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Bluebird Cafe, in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, hits the road February 2019 for a string of open mic nights in Memphis, Chattanooga, Knoxville and Johnson City during Tennessee Songwriters Week. in February 2019. The events emphasize a state statute honoring songwriters passed earlier this year, and give four winners the chance to perform their original material at the historic Bluebird Cafe.

STANTON, Tenn. - The new Interstate 40 Solar Farm Information and Welcome Center is officially open in Haywood County. State and local leaders gathered today to celebrate the modern 14,000-square-foot building, which will greet visitors traveling the I-40 corridor annually. On display and at the heart of the center is an interactive exhibit designed by the University of Tennessee, SPECTRUM, which highlights the state’s advancements in renewable energy.

Nashville, Tenn. – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Kevin Triplett announced today Tennessee tourism’s direct domestic and international travel expenditures reached a new all-time record high of $20.7 billion in 2017, up 6.3 percent over the previous year, as reported by the U.S. Travel Association. The announcement was made at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum.

NASHVILLE, TENN. – The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development today announced the launch of Tennessee Music Pathways, a statewide program designed to guide visitors to their musical points of interest through an online travel-planning experience featuring hundreds of landmarks and attractions promoting the seven musical genres—blues, bluegrass, country, gospel, soul, rockabilly and rock ‘n’ roll—that call Tennessee home.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today at the historic Bluebird Cafe, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development celebrated the state statute passed, annually designating the last full week of February as “Tennessee Songwriters Week.”

LONDON -- Nashville singer-songwriter Gill Landry serenaded Londoners passing through Waterloo Station Monday afternoon, stopping busy commuters in their tracks and helping kick off a month-long marketing campaign, “Sights & Sounds of Tennessee.”

Tennessee has seen the highest growth rate for international arrivals in the U.S., according to Tourism Economics, a leader in providing credible tourism analysis for hundreds of destinations. The findings were shared at IPW May 19-23 in Denver, Colorado.

Helen Turner, owner of Helen's Bar-B-Q in Brownsville, is one of the few female pit masters in the country, ranked fourth in the south by Southern Living.

After the November 2016 wildfires, the department produced "It's a Great Day to be in the Smokies," to make sure visitors knew Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg and other communities in Sevier County were open for business.

Gatlinburg Mayor Mike Werner and Gatlinburg City Manager Cindy Cameron Ogle, both helped manage the city through the November 2016 wildfires.

As Mayor of Stanton, Allan Sterbinsky's perseverance and dedication to keep the Stanton Cannery open helps the community thrive and provides a sense of place.

Jenny Hunt, Mayor of Bell Buckle, fights to protect the historic character and small town charm of Bell Buckle.

Jenna Cole-Wilson, executive director of the Benton County/Camden Chamber of Commerce, was determined to protect the plane crash site in Camden of legendary artist Patsy Cline.

Years ago Michael and Kathy bought a farm in Linden and began working hard to breathe new life into the downtown area.

TDTD installed special lenses in scenic viewers so people with color blindness could experience true colors of fall for the first time.