By AP
Nashville, TN – Tennessee tourism commissioner Susan Whitaker says tourists spent $10.8 billion in the state last year.
The figure was revealed as Governor Bredesen's annual tourism conference began Wednesday in Memphis.
Whitaker says tourism spending was up 2.3% statewide in 2003.
She says Tennessee's main advantage in attracting visitors is its diversity.
She cited the musical heritage of Memphis' blues and Nashville's country music and what she called " the grand outdoors" of the eastern part of the state.