Investing in Tennessee’s Regional Tourism Infrastructure
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For more than 50 years, Tennessee’s Regional Tourism Associations have served as a critical part of the state’s tourism infrastructure. Established in 1974, the regional model was designed to strengthen collaboration, extend the reach of destination marketing, and ensure communities across Tennessee benefit from tourism-driven economic growth.
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Today, nine Regional Tourism Associations work in partnership with local destination marketing organizations, communities, and the State of Tennessee to promote travel, support local economies, and amplify Tennessee’s most valuable tourism assets. By connecting destinations across county lines, regional associations create stronger and more competitive tourism regions that drive visitation, increase spending, and extend tourism’s impact into rural, distressed, and at-risk areas.
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Regional associations often function as an extension of local DMO staff, providing strategic expertise, regional planning, and collaborative marketing opportunities that individual counties cannot accomplish alone. Regional tourism directors play a vital role in aligning local priorities, developing shared strategies, and ensuring every community has a voice in Tennessee’s tourism economy.
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While the tourism industry has grown significantly over the past five decades, the funding model supporting Regional Tourism Associations has remained largely unchanged. In real terms, today’s funding represents only a fraction of its original value, limiting the ability of regional associations to meet modern demands, support local partners, and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving tourism landscape.
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Tennessee’s Regional Tourism Associations are united in seeking an updated funding model that reflects current economic realities, supports long-term sustainability, and recognizes the measurable return on investment tourism provides to communities and the state. Modernizing this structure is not an expansion of mission but a necessary step to preserve and strengthen a system that has delivered economic impact for decades.
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Support from state legislators and community leaders is essential to ensuring Tennessee’s regional tourism infrastructure remains strong, accountable, and effective. Your partnership will help safeguard tourism’s role as a proven economic driver and ensure all Tennessee communities can continue to benefit from sustainable tourism growth.
Helpful Information About Our Efforts​
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Tennessee's Tourism Regionals are NOT funded by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. Tourism Regionals are funded by an Endowment Grant created by the Tennessee state legislature in 1974 with the same founding legislation that created Tennessee Regional Development Districts.
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This legislation simply seeks an inflationary adjustment. There has not been a funding adjustment in over 50 years.
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Regional tourism organizations are critical for rural communities. In many cases, regionals serve as an extension to small rural staffs, many times with only one-person offices.
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This support would directly relieve financial burden from rural communities.
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We are a trusted partner of Tennessee's Department of Tourist Development, playing a critical role in the state's tourism development efforts. In fact, TDTD backed that trust with two rounds of regional ARPA fund investments since 2021. ​​
What Regional Tourism Organizations Do
Marketing and Regional Branding
Regional teams build and manage destination brands and campaigns that speak directly to their area—often through dedicated websites and platforms (like ExperienceTN.com) that showcase trip ideas, attractions, trails, rivers, local flavors, shops, and seasonal highlights.
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Product and Event Development
They help create, improve, and promote experiences that motivate travel—everything from signature festivals and sporting events to agritourism, trails, cultural experiences, and new visitor itineraries.
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Partner Collaboration
Regional organizations work closely with:
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Local businesses (hotels, restaurants, attractions, shops, guides, venues)
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Chambers of Commerce
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Convention & Visitors Bureaus (CVBs)
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City and county partners
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…to strengthen the visitor experience and amplify what’s already happening on the ground.
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Visitor Information and Trip Support
They serve travelers by providing trusted guidance and trip-planning resources—sometimes including direct assistance through welcome centers or online tools.
Grant and Co-op Support
Many regions distribute state funding and manage co-op advertising or grant opportunities that help local partners market smarter and compete for visitors.
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Economic Development Impact
Ultimately, regional tourism organizations help communities:
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Increase visitor stays and spending
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Support local jobs
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Grow tourism-related tax revenue
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Strengthen long-term destination competitiveness