The Liberty County Convention and Visitors Bureau has said tourism brought more than $100 million into the county in 2016.

In a report this week, the CVB announced local tourism statistics for fiscal year 2016, as reported by the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

The state reports are generated each calendar year. In 2016, Liberty County’s tourism industry supported 593 jobs and generated $111.6 million in direct travel spending, an increase of $4.5 million in just one year, according to the report. Direct travel spending has increased $25 million since 2010 with the largest spike occurring in 2016 thus far.

"We’re pleased to see that visitor spending in Liberty County is continuing in an upward trend," LCCVB CEO Leah Poole said. "The information we receive each year acknowledges the positive influence tourism has on our local economy, as well as the great leadership that our organization has."

She said growth from Georgia’s progressive film initiatives have made an impact in Liberty County and that the LCCVB looks forward to seeing those incentives continue.

According to the GDEcD report, $4.7 million was generated in state tax revenues and $3.5 million was generated in local tax revenues. Liberty County ranked #31 out of 159 counties, recognizing itself in the top 20 percent leading tourism as an economic force in the state.

Find out more about tourism in the state of Georgia by visiting www.exploregeorgia.org or www.marketgeorgia.org.