While hospitality is one of the Volunteer State’s most notable traits, Colin Reed says Tennessee’s tourism industry has more opportunity than ever to grow.
And his audience had a vested interest in increasing tourism.
The Nashville Business Breakfast, which was held at Lipscomb University and co-sponsored by the Nashville Business Journal, was attended by professionals in fields from media to politics and everywhere in between.
Reed, the CEO of Gaylord Entertainment, said that though Tennessee’s tourism industry is valued at over $14 billion, the state has never attracted international tourists. While Mayor Karl Dean highlighted the uniqueness of the city’s airport, with country music artists welcoming you to Nashville, Reed said that international travelers couldn’t get directly into the city.
Currently, those traveling from abroad must have a very hectic itinerary. Reed compared the local airport, BNA, to the airport in Denver, where Gaylord is building a resort and convention center. On an average day, Denver has 15 international flights. Nashville only has two – Cancun during the spring and summer and year-round flights to Toronto
Reed also announced to the crowd that the 2011 year was the most successful one in the Opryland Hotel’s history.
The hotel made $291.8 million last year, just one year after the flood that destroyed much of the property around the hotel. Gaylord’s plan to “attract and expand leisure based business” began earlier this year when the company announced the construction of a new theme park.
Reed says the park is expected to get 500,000 visitors annually. By the third year, it is expected to generate an output of $66 million. Reed also said that it would create approximately 1800 jobs.
The next Nashville Business Breakfast will feature Titans head coach Mike Munchak.