Recent Tourism Data Showing Many Out-Of-State Visitors Traveling To Upper Cumberland

Fall proves to be one of the busiest months for tourism in Upper Cumberland.

Putnam County Chamber of Commerce Tourism Director Shan Stout said events like the American MAde Music Festival in Gainesboro and Monterey’s Rocktober saw both local attendees and those from across the country. Stout said the Visitor’s Bureau is able to track that data using online ticket sales, Visitor’s Bureau check-ins, and tnvacation.com.

“Over 600,000 views last year on that website click to Cookeville,” Stout said. “And we’re seeing a whole lot of out-of-state people that are looking for things that we have to offer. So that’s a whole lot of data to show that people are coming from outside Tennessee our way.”

Stout said that’s due to the combination of events, locations, and natural amenities. She said Cookeville’s location as a state midpoint serves as a popular stopping point for people traveling from the Nashville area to go to Gatlinburg, and for people traveling from the Knoxville area to go to Nashville. In addition, she said this time of year appeals to hikers fond of the Upper Cumberland’s many trails and waterfalls.

Stout said the only season that rivals the fall’s business is spring. She said that both seasons offer the perfect kind of weather in the Upper Cumberland for outdoor activities and events.

“People start getting stir crazy from the winter and people are busting at the seams to get out of their homes os the second they have a pretty day we just go crazy,” Stout said. “And then the same thing happens with the fall. People are trying to get all of these things in before they have to batten down the hatches for winter.”