Atlanta is the 4th most visited city in the nation (Stone Mountain: live in, beaches)

[isawooty]

Originally Posted by erick295

Atlanta has a lot of conventions, and it's obvious why people from around the region come here, but it's also a big draw for long-distance tourists. That shouldn't surprise you if you think about it. People travel for different reasons, and while they might go to places like Orlando or Vegas to see attractions, they also visit other cities just to see the cities themselves.

I guess it's harder to understand why people would want to see Atlanta for those of us who live here, but people actually have a lot of good reasons for being interested in it. It's a significant city. It was at the center of the Civil Rights Movement, has a lot of Civil War history, once hosted the Olympics, and is home to what might be the single most recognized brand in the world (Coca-Cola). It's a standout city in this region in terms of size, economy, and cultural significance. Because of all that, people from all over the world are familiar with it, and people like to explore cities they've heard about. You'd be surprised how much attention we get overseas. I was recently in Europe, and when I told one guy where I was from his first question was "What do you make of the Braves moving?"

Even though we make fun of the South because of its stereotypes, it's a unique place that's interesting to a lot of people. Any region worth visiting has a city that everyone goes to--the UK has London, France has Paris, Italy has Rome, and so on--in that vein, the South has Atlanta. It's kind of the default choice. It makes perfect sense to me that it's one of the most visited cities in the US.

A lot of folks around here seem to think along the lines of "If not like New York, then utter sh*t," but that's not how most people see the world

That whole urban vs suburban mess is played out. Urban cities just mad that Sunbelt cities "be killin em" right now.

We growing and we urbanizing AND we're more modern than those other cities.

[afdinatl]

Originally Posted by jsvh

I don't think anywhere has a monopoly on a type of destination. Beaches, theme parks, casinos are lots of places. But you will still only find one Vegas strip or Disney World or College Football Hall of Fame or Ponce City Market. If you want the Guggenheim museum you got to go to NYC, no way around it. But here in Atlanta you still have a lot of options. I think it is good that we are not locked into a thing like Vegas or other places. It is rare for a group of adults to travel to Disney for a "weekend out on the town" or a family to take the kids to the Vegas strip. But both those groups as well as most others will find options in Atlanta.

This might be the reason Atlanta has a lot of visitors is because we are not linked to one particular thing. Maybe since this is the case more people may want to visit here to see what is the main attraction here. Someone may not visit Vegas because they are not into gambling and drinking even though Vegas has more stuff to do than that. Maybe Atlanta attracts more people since we do not market ourselves to one particular thing

[tarnishaluvsdontae]

Originally Posted by isawooty

That whole urban vs suburban mess is played out. Urban cities just mad that Sunbelt cities "be killin em" right now.

We growing and we urbanizing AND we're more modern than those other cities.

No we are NOT urbanizing. We must grow but not urbanize. Do not say that. Rent too high. I lived in NJ and it became so expensive because all these rich people keep moving into the cities and regentrifying them. I don't know where these rich people be coming from but there are ALOTTA them up there. And they all move into the city areas and downtown. The urbanization.

First NY/NJ and then my family in DC all had to move South here to stay ALIVE! So expensive and crowded and congested up in those other places now. I like Atlanta because it spread out and not crowded which keeps it cheap and helps the affordability.

[afdinatl]

Originally Posted by tarnishaluvsdontae

No we are NOT urbanizing. We must grow but not urbanize. Do not say that. Rent too high. I lived in NJ and it became so expensive because all these rich people keep moving into the cities and regentrifying them. I don't know where these rich people be coming from but there are ALOTTA them up there. And they all move into the city areas and downtown. The urbanization.

First NY/NJ and then my family in DC all had to move South here to stay ALIVE! So expensive and crowded and congested up in those other places now. I like Atlanta because it spread out and not crowded which keeps it cheap and affordability.

Wow. What a story

[tarnishaluvsdontae]

Originally Posted by afdinatl

Wow. What a story

Well it was become a disparate situation. Rent or eat? Rent or eat? I think you understand why we made the choice we did. HA!

[Mutiny77]

Originally Posted by frankieg73

jsvh,

I think you are unintentionally enforcing my point. Those are all good things about this city, few of which are widely known, but I can find museums and aquariums and multi-cultural festivals and good food options most anywhere. What about Atlanta makes it a more desirable vacation destination than the other cities with similar options?

Visitors don't necessarily mean vacationers though. We all know about how Atlanta attracts a large number of conventions, meetings, sporting events, etc., and most people aren't going to spend a typical week-long vacation in Atlanta because it's not that type of leisure destination. However, Atlanta really excels at being a destination for extended weekends; this would apply for those who might be initially visiting for other reasons but decide to extend their stay to check out the city's offerings as well as those who live within driving distance and want to get away for a weekend and shop, party, etc. That latter population is a pretty large one to draw from since Atlanta is the largest city within a 500-mile radius.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by Mutiny77

Visitors don't necessarily mean vacationers though. We all know about how Atlanta attracts a large number of conventions, meetings, sporting events, etc., and most people aren't going to spend a typical week-long vacation in Atlanta because it's not that type of leisure destination. However, Atlanta really excels at being a destination for extended weekends; this would apply for those who might be initially visiting for other reasons but decide to extend their stay to check out the city's offerings as well as those who live within driving distance and want to get away for a weekend and shop, party, etc. That latter population is a pretty large one to draw from since Atlanta is the largest city within a 500-mile radius.

But those people are still spending money.

[noah]

$11 Billion per year worth of spending. People may not be familiar with conventions like the International Production and Processing Expo, The International Poultry and Egg Show etc but it is big business.

Atlanta convention business looking up in 2013 - Atlanta Business Chronicle

Returning events will include the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market at AmericasMart, which will kick off the year in January with 93,000 attendees. It is the third-largest U.S. trade show as ranked by Trade Show News Network and accounts for $121.7 million in direct spending. The International Production and Processing Expo with more than 25,000 attendees and a $34.5 million economic impact will also return. That will be followed by the International Poultry and Egg Show, which will celebrate its 65th year in Atlanta next year. Last year, the egg show made a decision to collaborate with the American Meat Institute to form the International Production and Processing Expo, which will increase the attendance by more than 5,000 people.

Originally Posted by cqholt

But those people are still spending money.

[Mutiny77]

Originally Posted by cqholt

But those people are still spending money.

Of course they are, but my point had nothing to do with money and I never implied the converse. I was responding to someone who was asking why Atlanta might be a preferred destination over other cities with similar offerings.

[arc-lang]

Atlanta is also strategically located for some travelers, which helps the numbers. A lot of people that live in the North and South Carolina, and perhaps Virginia that elect to drive to the beaches of Florida are also most likely going to spend the night in Atlanta before continuing their journey. That also adds to the tourists numbers, even if those people are only staying a night in Atlanta. But I can also think of many other attractions in and around Atlanta that would draw tourists, even aside from just the conventions. You have the birth place of MLK Jr., his historic home, and where he preached, and later buried. This is a big draw for many African American's, and other races also, that want to bring their young children to learn about one of the pioneering men of the civil rights movement. Stone Mountain comes to mind as well as a tourist attraction. It might not be the greatest park on the planet, but it is worth visiting at least once just to say you've seen the largest exposed granite rock in the world, I guess. The Georgia Aquarium is one of the largest more exotic urban aquariums in existence. You also have the world of Coca Cola, which is a nice day trip, CNN center is in the heart of downtown, and could be a tourist destinations for gawkers and news buffs. Perhaps the major draw is probably that Atlanta was once an Olympic city, and many people want to see Centennial Olympic park, and the Olympic museum at the history center.

Anyway I can see why some people might want to visit Atlanta, outside of just conventions and doing business. And for those who want to hit the beaches, there is Hurricane Harbor that just opened at Six Flags, yes of course I am kidding.