Pickett County outpaced its neighbors in visitor spending, according to the latest Tennessee Tourism Economic Impact data.
Byrdstown-Pickett County Chamber Executive Director Bryan Arms said the 2024 Snapshot showed Pickett ranked 67th in visitor spending statewide. Arms said overall, the numbers decreased, but the numbers are still very good.
“Visitors to Pickett County generated $559 in tax savings per household through state and local tax collections,” Arms said. “Pickett County takes advantage of tourism that comes to Tennessee. We’re blessed to have Dale Hollow Lake and all the wonderful beauties surrounding Dale Hollow Lake.”
Arms said the Byrdstown-Pickett County Chamber continues to work on improving tourism. Arms said the Chamber’s relationship with local government and businesses has provided lanes for them to collaborate on new ways to bring in revenue.
“We’ve been working hard trying to come up with some extra events,” Arms said. “Not only to give people more to come and experience and get a taste of a small, hometown environment, and the good people in the community of Byrdstown and Pickett County.”
Arms said Clay County was ranked 89th in visitor spending, Fentress County ranked 79th, Overton County was 83rd. Arms said visitor spending in those counties helped their resident’s households save between $100 and $150 in taxes.
Arms said tourism in Pickett County is biggest during the summer, but it slows down in the fall. Arms said events like fishing tournaments at Dale Hollow Lake are big economic drivers for the county, as they might require visitors to take an overnight trip.
“We just like to get the word out and share what’s great about Pickett County here,” Arms said. “Just the community, the area, the beauty, God’s wonders that we have that we get to take advantage of you sometimes take for granted.”
Arms said he grew up in Pickett County, and he did not have an appreciation for the area’s offerings until he was older. Arms said the Chamber wants everyone to experience Pickett County.
Arms said it is not challenging to bring tourists to Pickett County, it just comes down to finding new ways to get the word out about local events while keeping everyone involved.