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The Tourism Association of Southwest Tennessee (TAST) is one of nine regional tourism organizations in the State of Tennessee formed for the expressed purpose of developing Southwest Tennessee’s travel industry and marketing the region to the traveling public. TAST serves eight counties with an ever-expanding membership base representing progressive travel related businesses and associations, as well as various levels of government.
Counties within the TAST region include Chester, Decatur, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Madison and McNairy.
• TAST is unique. It seeks to represent and speak for the common interest and concerns of Southwest Tennessee’s travel industry both in the marketplace and with government.
• TAST does not seek to duplicate the objectives or efforts of local associations or organizations which represent specific industry components. TAST does seek to expand these efforts.
• The basic concept of TAST is that we all prosper by working together in a unified effort to promote the eight county region’s natural, historic, and man-made attractions and travel destinations.
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TAST VISITOR CENTERS
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The Tourism Association of Southwest Tennessee operates six visitor information stations within our region. The services each offers and there locations are:
I-40 Rest Areas
Located near the 73 Mile Marker on I-40 (just west of Jackson). Brochures, free state maps, and accommodation discount coupon books available.
Anderson’s Fruit Farm Info Center
Highway 64, Whiteville. A self-service brochure rack.
Casey Jones Village Information Center
I-40 Exit 80-A, in Jackson. A self-service brochure and travel information center in the Old Country Store entrance and in the Gazebo.
Chickasaw One Stop Country Store
Hwy. 100 West of Chickasaw State Park in Chester County. A self-service brochure rack.
Parker’s Crossroads Log Cabin Information Center
I-40 Exit 108 at Parker’s Crossroads. Restrooms, gift shop and self-service brochures and travel information. Convenient to the Parker’s Crossroads Civil War driving tour.
The Junction Information Center
Located at the junction of Highways 45 and 57, south of Selmer. Provides travel information through a self service brochure rack.
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TAST MEMBER BENEFITS
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• Free listing in annual Official Visitors Guide to Southwest Tennessee.
• Free listing on TAST web page.
• 10% Discount on display ads in annual Official Visitors Guide to Southwest Tennessee and guaranteed ad space availability.
• Optional link to members with web page.
• Free pick-up and distribution of literature/brochures to TAST Visitor Centers.
• Leads from national advertising & web inquiries available upon member request.
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JOIN TAST TODAY
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YES, I want to reach visitors and want to support the economic development and enhance the quality of life for my community and Southwest Tennessee through membership in the Tourism Association of Southwest Tennessee (TAST). Membership fee is only $135 annually. All members receive a FREE listing in the Official Visitors Guide to Southwest Tennessee. (Non-member listings are $200.)
To speak with a representative from TAST, please call (731) 616-7474.
To contact a TAST representative by e-mail, please click here.
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The Benefits of the Tourism & Travel Industry
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Tourism and travel is one of the few industries that provides more than just an economic benefit to communities across the nation. Tourism and travel benefits include:
History. One benefit of tourism that may not immediately come to mind is its contribution to historic preservation. Because many historic buildings are also tourist attractions, travel spending helps support and maintain these landmarks of American history. There are approximately 58,200 listings in the National Register of Historic Places maintained by the National Park Service. About 13 percent of the listings are historic districts; and roughly 800,000 building structures, sites and objects are included within those listings.
Social and Cultural. The presence of cultural events attracts tourists to destinations. Admission fees for performing arts total over $5 billion nationally each year and surpasses fees for spectator sports. A recent survey found that 40 percent of all American adults attend an arts and crafts or cultural festival each year; 22 percent visit an art museum or gallery; 17 percent attend a musical play; 13 percent attend a classical music performance; and 12 percent see a play.
Rural Tourism. Rural tourism development is increasingly gaining acceptance as an answer to the economic difficulties facing rural American. Travelers who have already visited the big cities want to experience the authenticity of the “real America” which often exists in rural communities. Policymakers at all levels are making rural tourism development a top priority.
Environment. The travel and tourism industry has become increasingly sensitive to protecting the environment. In fact, “eco-tours” are one of the fastest growing segments of the tourism industry. Through funds generated by tourists, many environmentally sensitive areas are being maintained in their most pristine state.
Highways and Scenic Byways. America’s transportation system provides mobility and communication opportunities for its citizens, plays a vital role in advancing the nation’s national goals and is a powerful engine for America’s economic growth. The United States has an extensive network of highways and roadways -- some 3.9 million miles in total, according to the Federal Highway Administration. Travelers on America’s highways contribute substantially to maintaining and improving this system by paying tolls and gasoline taxes. Currently there are some 51,518 miles of designated and potentially scenic byways in the U.S. States own nearly three-quarters -- over 39,000 miles.
Business Growth. When tourists travel they spend money -- on accommodations, food, gifts and admission fees. Increases in tourism help generate the development of new businesses in a community in the form of new hotels, bed and breakfasts, resorts, restaurants, retail stores, service stations, attractions and recreational developments such as golf courses, tennis courts and water activities.
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Tourism & Travel -- It’s Everyone’s Business
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Although the prevailing image of travel and tourism is pleasure, there is a very serious business side to the industry. The magnitude of travel and tourism’s contribution to the nation’s economy, its critical position in the worldwide trade balance and its major role as an employer have long been underestimated. Consider these facts:
• Visitors to Southwest Tennessee spend over $249 million annually at hotels, motels, campgrounds, inns, attractions, restaurants, retail outlets, gas stations and other local merchants.
• Tourism means $666 million in Tennessee tax revenue annually.
• Tennessee hosts 1.7 million convention delegates annually.
• Tennessee hosts 7 million business travelers annually.
• Tennessee hosts 32 million out-of-state visitors annually.
• Tourism is the second largest industry in Tennessee, employing some 273,000 people (directly and indirectly).
• Tourism is an $13.4 Billion industry in Tennessee.
• Americans spend more money on travel than on clothes, accessories, jewelry and personal care items combined. International travelers spend six times as much as their American counterparts on a per capita basis each year.
• Travel and tourism is the third-largest retail sales industry in business receipts, following auto dealers and food stores.
• The travel and tourism industry is the third-largest employer in the nation. After business and health services, travel and tourism generates more jobs than any other industry -- and that number is growing.
*Figures provided by the National Travel and Tourism Awareness Council and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. |
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