The Georgia tourism industry generated $52.28 million in spending in Bryan County in 2019, according to the U.S. Travel Association.

The study, announced Monday by the Richmond Hill Convention and Visitors Bureau and made available through Explore Georgia, the tourism division within the Georgia Department of Economic Development, reported travel and tourism created $2.26 million in state tax revenues and generated $1.56 million in local tax revenues for Bryan County and its cities in 2019. Each household in Bryan County would need to be taxed an additional $293 per year to replace taxes generated by tourism activity, the state said.

The industry also supported more than 425 jobs and created $11.02 million in payroll for the county. In 2019, the unemployment rate in Bryan County was 3.0 percent.. Without the jobs supported by the tourism industry, it would have been 5.3 percent, according to officials.

Christy Sherman, executive director of the Richmond Hill CVB describes different types of tourists that come to Bryan County.

“Richmond Hill is a great place to explore and serves as a launching point for visiting historic Savannah, Tybee Island, and all of coastal Georgia. Fort McAllister, our natural resources and annual events are also huge draws to our community. With two busy interstate exits, tourism revenue is boosted by thousands of travelers per day pulling off I-95 or Highway 17 for a place to stay.”