Georgia broke its tourism record for the fourth year in a row in 2025, and Columbus is getting its share of the visitors.

Gov. Brian Kemp announced that a record 175.6 million visitors spent $46.2 billion in Georgia in 2025, more than 2% above the previous record set in 2024. Those visitors generated $5.3 billion in state and local taxes, saving each Georgia household nearly $1,300 a year in taxes on average, according to the state.

What it means for Columbus

Closer to home, Visit Columbus told City Council in April that Columbus welcomed 3.1 million visitors in fiscal year 2025, and those visitors spent about $650 million in the city.

Columbus draws visitors with attractions including:

• The National Infantry Museum, with free admission
• Whitewater rafting on the Chattahoochee River in Uptown
• The RiverWalk and the Dragonfly Trails network
• The RiverCenter for the Performing Arts and the historic Springer Opera House
• Big events like the Fountain City Classic, which organizers say draws about 45,000 people each year

Tourism and jobs

Statewide, tourism supports 473,837 jobs, about one in every 15 jobs in Georgia, and generates $84.1 billion in economic impact, the state reported. Visitor spending in Columbus supports jobs at local hotels, restaurants, shops and attractions.

The state's figures come from an annual study by Tourism Economics for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, which measures tourism's impact in all 159 counties.

For more on visiting Columbus, go to visitcolumbusga.com.