Georgia Hosted 65th Annual Tourism Conference

More than 500 industry leaders gathered on Jekyll Island to discuss the future of the state's tourism sector.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Hotels

Screen-print poster illustration of a coastal live oak tree along a Georgia marsh, evoking the heritage of the regional tourism sector. — More than 500 Georgia tourism professionals convened on Jekyll Island for the 65th Governor's Tourism Conference to analyze 2024 spending data. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you support increasing tourism efforts in your local area to drive economic growth?

Georgia tourism leaders met for the 65th annual Governor's Tourism Conference on Jekyll Island to evaluate travel trends and data. The event brought together more than 500 professionals to discuss the impact of artificial intelligence on destination planning.

Why it matters

Officials are examining changing traveler habits and spending data from 2024 to refine marketing strategies. The conference helps leaders adapt to new planning tools that influence where and how visitors choose their destinations.

Georgia welcomed over 174 million visitors in 2024, contributing to $45 billion in total spending. The industry supported more than 470,000 jobs, representing one out of every 15 positions in the state, while the Savannah-Chatham County area saw nearly 13 million visitors.

The details

Tourism officials are analyzing extensive visitor spending data to inform regional marketing initiatives and destination development. Conference sessions focused on the shifting ways travelers use artificial intelligence to conduct research and manage their travel planning.

Tourism statistics for Georgia were recorded throughout 2024.
The 65th annual conference was held on Jekyll Island in September 2026.

Travel Outlook

The conference underscores the state's ongoing commitment to professionalizing the hospitality sector against the backdrop of shifting global tourism patterns. It highlights a pivot from traditional marketing toward digital-first strategies as traveler reliance on AI research tools continues to rise.

Travelers planning visits to Georgia should anticipate more personalized, AI-driven booking experiences and digital resources for regional research. Understanding how these tools shape destination promotion can help visitors find better value and more relevant travel information for their next trip.

The takeaway

Tourism remains a cornerstone of the state economy, providing significant employment and regional revenue. Industry professionals are now prioritizing digital integration to ensure they remain relevant to tech-savvy travelers planning their future excursions.