Savannah's visitor economy remained a powerful driver of job creation, economic development, and tax relief for residents in 2025, according to the latest Tourism Impact Study by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company.

An estimated 12.9 million visitors traveled to the Savannah area in 2025, spending approximately $4.1 billion. The findings reflect stable performance for Savannah's tourism sector despite broader economic headwinds and a more competitive travel landscape nationwide.

“The findings reinforce tourism's critical role in supporting Savannah's economy and quality of life,” said Joseph Marinelli, president of Visit Savannah. "Visitors contribute directly to local businesses across lodging, restaurants, retail, transportation, and attractions, while also helping to sustain jobs and generate tax revenue that benefits residents."

The study found that Savannah's visitor economy supported an estimated 27,680 direct jobs across Chatham County, making tourism one of the region's most important employment drivers. Visitor-supported employment spans several major business sectors, accounting for nearly all lodging jobs, 43 percent of food and beverage jobs, and 38 percent of recreation jobs.

Beyond direct employment, visitor spending also creates broader economic activity throughout the community. Tourism supported an additional 8,072 indirect jobs through supply-chain demand and 5,028 induced jobs as tourism-supported wages were spent locally. In total, Savannah's visitor economy supported approximately 40,780 jobs in 2025.

“Tourism is economic development,” Marinelli added. “It supports small businesses, creates career opportunities, strengthens our tax base, and helps fund the services and infrastructure that residents rely on every day.”

Visitors to Savannah and Chatham County generated approximately $506 million in state and local tax revenue in 2025. Without that visitor-generated tax revenue, each Chatham County household would need to pay an additional $4,199 annually in taxes to maintain current service levels. That figure increased from $4,170 in 2024, further demonstrating the direct financial benefit tourism provides to residents.

While Savannah's visitor economy remained resilient in 2025, the results also reflect a broader normalization following the record-setting growth seen in the immediate post-pandemic years. Increased lodging supply, changing travel patterns, and national economic conditions continue to create a more competitive environment for destinations across the country.

Visit Savannah will continue working with local businesses, hospitality partners, elected officials, and community stakeholders to sustain visitation and ensure tourism remains a positive force for Savannah and Chatham County.

"Savannah's brand remains strong, and our destination continues to offer the kind of authentic, year-round visitor experience that sets us apart," Marinelli said. "Our focus is on growing tourism responsibly in a way that supports businesses, creates jobs, and enhances the quality of life for the people who call this community home."