Our Hometown In The Smokies! - Sevierville Chamber of Commerce

Business & Industry
TOURISM IN SEVIERVILLE
Sevierville prides itself on a wide variety of business and employment opportunities for our residents, from industry to
education. But it is tourism that provides the backbone for Sevierville and Sevier County’s growing economies. With more
than 13,000,000 annual overnight visitors, Sevier County generates nearly $1.5 billion in domestic travel expenditures,
pays out $353 million in payroll and employs more than 18,400 people each year. That’s why tourism is big business.
But tourism is more than an economic driver for our county, it is also a large part of what makes this such a special place
to live. Having America’s most visited national park in our backyard provides ample opportunities to spend time in nature
while the theme parks and attractions all around us also provide nice diversions and the shopping is second to none.
Sevierville’s city leadership realizes the value of tourism for our residents and works to bring new development to the area
which will enhance the quality of life for everyone. Because Sevierville is a city of approximately 17,500 residents and
annually supports more than 700 times that many visitors, we must maintain a much larger infrastructure system than the
norm for a city our size. Out city’s needs included new roads and new water and sewer lines. Sevierville sought a way to
meet those needs and provide positive economic impact. They found the answer in an events center.
In 2003, Sevierville began the process of building an events center with the help of Tennessee’s Convention Center
Financing Act. Through this piece of legislation, Sevierville was able to issue bonds and raise money for the construction of
our new 240,000 square foot Sevierville Events Center as well as the construction of new roads and infrastructure.
In fact, less than 35 cents of every dollar went towards building the events center with the rest going to infrastructure
improvements. Those bonds are being paid back with tax revenue collected from new businesses located within the
Central Business Improvement District-a corridor along SR 66 that expands into downtown Sevierville.
The Sevierville Events Center serves as a catalyst for economic development and has already spurred nearly a $1 billion
investment by private developers in Sevierville, including entertainment and lifestyle centers filled with shopping, dining,
lodging and entertainment. In addition, the Sevierville Events Center, which has been designed for trade shows and
competitive arts events, is booked steadily for the next 17 years. Already Sevierville hotels have seen revenue increases in
“off season” winter months, and the trend is expected to continue.
While Sevierville has its fair share of lodging properties, attractions and destination shopping, it has struggled to forge a
clear identity with area visitors. Now, with new growth and expanded vacation opportunities, Sevierville is becoming an
upscale mountain destination. With the foresight and planning of Sevierville’s leadership, our city will continue looking to
the future. But regardless of Sevierville’s growth and change, we have always and will always maintain our hometown feel.
SEVIERVILLE, TN 33