Travel spending lifts Georgia economy by $2.6B

From the heart of Atlanta to Georgia’s sunny beaches, travel continues to fuel the state’s economy while helping residents share in the benefits of tourism. 

Hosts and guests generated an estimated $2.6 billion across Georgia in 2024.¹ This activity supported approximately 32,900 jobs and drove more than $617 million in total tax revenue statewide.

Airbnb also collected and remitted $109 million in tourism taxes on behalf of Georgia hosts in 2024, delivering critical resources to Georgia’s cities, counties, and state government.

Dispersing travel and driving economic benefits for locals

Short-term rentals disperse economic activity far beyond traditional hotel corridors, empowering residents and local businesses in every corner of the state. 

• The typical Georgia host earned approximately $11,000 in 2024—income that helps families cover living expenses, avoid foreclosure, and remain in their homes.²
• The typical host in Georgia welcomed guests for about 40 nights last year³ and 80% of hosts share just one home, making hosting an occasional but important source of income.⁴

Fall and winter travel spotlights across Georgia

This season, we are highlighting several destinations where guests are fueling local economies while discovering unique corners of the state.

College football fan travel in Athens

Every fall, thousands of fans descend on Athens and across Clarke County for game day weekends, delivering real benefits for locals. In 2024, guests in Athens-Clarke County generated more than $31 million  in economic activity, supporting nearly 500 jobs in Athens-Clarke County and generating over $17 million in labor income.⁵

This visitor spending drove an estimated $6.5 million in total tax revenue in 2024.⁶ Hosts and their guests also support Athens-Clarke County by generating an influx of tourism taxes for the local government. In the last year, Airbnb directly collected and remitted $1 million in tourism-related taxes on behalf of hosts to Athens-Clarke County.⁷

Off-season getaways in coastal Georgia 

From Tybee Island to Savannah, travel helps sustain local shops, restaurants, and attractions during the shoulder season in coastal Georgia. In 2024, travel on Airbnb in Chatham County, which includes Tybee Island and Savannah, generated an estimated $307 million in economic activity⁸ and approximately $71 million in total taxes.⁹

This travel helps boost local economies and delivers important tax revenue directly to local governments. In the last year, Airbnb collected and remitted $1.8 million in tourism taxes on behalf of hosts to Tybee Island, and $4.6 million in tourism taxes to Savannah.¹⁰ Across Chatham County, travel on Airbnb helped support over 4,000 jobs, resulting in an estimated $175 million in labor income.¹¹

Fandom and holiday travel in Atlanta

From professional sports games to concerts and holiday travel, Atlanta remains a hub for visitors throughout the fall and winter. In 2024, Airbnb guests to metro Atlanta contributed $518 million to GDP¹² and an estimated $126.5 million in total tax revenue.¹³ Airbnb also collected and remitted $7.9 million in local occupancy taxes on behalf of hosts to the City of Atlanta in 2024.¹⁴   

During the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament next summer, hosts are expected to welcome 6,000 guests who will generate significant economic activity across Atlanta and the surrounding areas, boosting the local economy while keeping tourism dollars in the hands of local residents. This includes:

• An estimated $70M in GDP generated by travel on Airbnb in and around Atlanta during the tournament
• Nearly $4,000 in supplemental income earned per stay by local hosts in and around Atlanta during the tournament 
• Nearly 300 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs through 2026 supported by Airbnb guest spending in and around Atlanta during the tournament

About the Data

Economic impact estimates are generated using the IMPLAN economic model, which considers direct, indirect, and induced effects of travel and host income. Tax data is based on Airbnb’s collection and remittance of applicable state and local lodging taxes on behalf of hosts. Read more about IMPLAN and economic impact estimates.