ATLANTA — The Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau now says more than 42 million people visit Atlanta each year. That makes it the fourth most visited city in the nation.
Channel 2’s Dave Huddleston spoke with Mayor Kasim Reed in City Hall where Reed said Atlanta has more visitors than Las Vegas, Miami Florida, Los Angeles and Philadelphia.
Huddleston spoke with a tourist, from Boston, who said she believes Reed when he says Atlanta is the fourth most visited city in the nation and she believes southern hospitality has a lot to do with that.
“Absolutely, I love coming here. I have to admit it’s one of the best experiences,” Doris Lamaire said. “They’re so warm. You just feel safe. They’re so hospitable. They’re very friendly and very welcoming and always out there to make your trip that much better.
Reed said tourists bring in $13 billion dollars for the city. He said we tend to take for granted the Georgia Aquarium, Centennial Olympic Park and the King center.
“Folks don’t seem to recognize, I think because we’re so used to it,” Reed said.
Brian McGowan is the chief operating officer of the Metro-Atlanta Chamber. He said, in addition to our sports teams, the city continues to add major attractions.
He said, with the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, College Football Hall of Fame to Streetcars, there will be a lot of things that will make people want to come to Atlanta.
Reed adds that, with construction projects up 54 percent in the city, they will continue to build and continue to lure tourists to the Capitol City.
WSBTV
