UC Tourism Expected To See Continued High Traffic This Summer

Travel on this Fourth of July weekend is expected to see its second-highest travel day on record, according to AAA Travel, and the UC is already seeing the impact.

After a year with no traveling or events, Upper Cumberland Tourism Association Executive Director Ruth Dyal said that our tourism industry is in good shape.

“I’m very happy to report I think we’re looking good,” Dyal said. “Over the years, especially this COVID last year, put us on the map I really believe so.”

Dyal said she thinks people realized Nashville isn’t the only tourist spot in the state. Because the Upper Cumberland offers lakes, hiking, restaurants, and a welcoming community, Dyal said people are turning towards the area as a vacation destination.

Dyal said because of the large tourist population, she suggests planning ahead when it comes to boat rentals and activities this summer.

“You really have to go out and seek a place to put a boat out in the water,” Dyal said. “Get a CamCrown, your RV parked, get your Fifth Wheel parked. It’s a very, very good year for us.”

Just having gone out in the Cookeville community, she said she’s already met dozens of tourists.

“We started talking and they were up from Ohio,” Dyal said. “I met some of them from Wisconsin, I saw another couple and they were from Maine, and they were all gathering in downtown Cookeville.”

Dyal said the influx of tourists have been coming since Memorial Day, and that she expects the influx to continue.