Tourism is

responsible for 200,000 Georgia jobs and $3.3 billion in resident wages,

which reflects a 2 percent increase from 2000. State government realizes

nearly $645 million in tax revenue, saving every resident $80 each in

taxes.

The Davidson-Peterson

Economic Impact study was released the beginning of May and measures the

time frame between July 2000 and June 2001.

It show that

most Georgia regions experienced and increase of visitors in fiscal year

2001, with a total overnight visitation of 41.74 million.

In Coweta County,

the total tourist expenditure was $88.8 million for fiscal year 2001.

More than 1800

jobs were supported with $29,917,013 in wages directly supported by tourism.

The Georgia

Department of Industry Trade and Tourism says other indicators that Georgia

tourism is growing are the increased requests for Georgia Travel Guides,

up 129 percent in the first quarter of 2002, and the increased traffic

flow to Georgia Visitors Information Centers, which hosted more than 16

million visitors in 2001.

"This

new study confirms that tourism is a major part of Georgia's current economy

and will play a role in future economic development," said Janis

Cannon, deputy commissioner of tourism for GDITT. "As we implement

our marketing efforts to attract new and repeat visitors to our state,

we will see these numbers continue to grow. As the second largest industry

in the state, tourism is poised to be the economic stimulus many regions

need."