The Livingston/Overton County Chamber of Commerce represented Overton County this week at the Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association's Day on the Hill, joining the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and state and industry leaders from across Tennessee to celebrate a historic milestone for the state's tourism industry.

Tennessee's tourism, leisure, and hospitality industry generated a record $2.03 billion in state tax revenue in 2025, a figure that supports education, public safety, and healthcare while driving economic growth in communities across the state and helping keep taxes low for Tennesseans.

"This week was a historic one, one I'm not sure I ever thought I'd see," said Tennessee Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell, who shared the record-breaking figure with attendees.

The impact of that statewide success reaches directly into Overton County, where tourism generated $8.3 million in visitor spending in 2024, supporting local jobs and saving each household in the county an estimated $102 in taxes.

"Those numbers are not abstract for us, because every visitor who stops in Overton County spends money at our restaurants, our shops, and our small businesses, and that spending turns into jobs and tax revenue that eases the burden on the families who live here year round," said Zach Stephens, President & CEO of the Livingston/Overton County Chamber of Commerce. "We are proud to be part of Tennessee's tourism story, and we are grateful for the partners who make this success possible."

While in Nashville, Chamber leadership met with Commissioner Ezell to discuss Overton County's tourism efforts, including the tourism development partnership between the Chamber, Main Street Livingston, the City of Livingston, and Overton County, a collaborative structure designed to grow tourism locally and maximize its economic impact for the community.

The Chamber also met with State Senator Ken Yager and State Representative Ed Butler to discuss how continued investment in tourism strengthens the local economy and creates opportunities for Overton County residents.

About the Livingston/Overton County Chamber of Commerce 

The Livingston/Overton County Chamber of Commerce serves as the lead organization for economic development, tourism, workforce development, small business support, and government advocacy in Overton County, Tennessee. For more information, visit LivingstonOvertonChamber.com.