NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Summer tourism is at a peak this year in Nashville, with popular events like CMA Fest and Ally 400 bringing in plenty of visitors, which in turn is driving up monetary impact and hotel stays.
According to Nashville's Convention and Visitor Corp, two main summertime tourism events — Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th and CMA Fest — saw record-breaking numbers of people.
Wondering what the money looked like? Or how many people actually came to Nashville for these events? We've got the numbers for you.
Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4
Hotel rooms filled: 27,136
Visitor Spending: $17.5 million
People: approximately 355,000 — a 42% increase from last year, according to Nashville's Convention and Visitor Corp.
CMA Fest
Spending: $77.3 million, 3.5% increase from last year
People: approximately 90,000 fans daily (June 6 - 9), from all 50 states and 46 countries, according to the Country Music Association.
Rooms sold downtown: up 5% compared to last year
These events aren't the only thing driving tourists to Nashville.
On June 28 and 29, Zach Bryan was in town and the Ally 400 Nascar Speedway took place. Hotel room demand was the second best Nashville has seen, with 74,983 rooms sold.
When Morgan Wallen was at Nissan Stadium and the Nashville Predators were in a home playoff game on the same weekend as several university graduations, more then 75,500 hotel rooms sold, which Nashville Convention and Visitor Corp says is the most ever in Nashville's history on a Friday and Saturday.
I am so inspired by Sheila Gann's love for her husband and her resilience. Anyone who has lost a loved one to Alzheimer's knows how cruel this disease is - not only for the patient but also for those who love and care for them. Mike and Sheila clearly had a remarkable love story, and she is now honoring that in the most beautiful way. Thanks to Forrest Sanders for sharing their story.
-Carrie Sharp
