Fri, July 10, 2026

Facebook-f Youtube Instagram
Newsletter Sign up
Show Support
Menu

Tourism
B2B Stories

Local basketball boosts economy

A few tournaments in the next few weeks will bring in big money and big crowds to the CSRA tourism trade. Currently, Nike is hosting the Nike Junior Championships, followed by the nationally renowned Nike Peach Jam. According to Destination Augusta and the Augusta Sports Council, 20,000 visitors are expected to stay at area hotels, dine, and shop while in town. For the entire month of July, tourism professionals in our area expect there to be more than $12 Million in economic impact.

Read More »
Neil Gordon July 8, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Augusta’s airport looks for ways to keep up with growing demand

The recent onslaught of travelers during Masters tournament caused a special meeting of the Augusta Aviation Commission committee. The meeting of the Air Services Committee was to do an airport-wide critique of services that directly impacted arrival and departure operations. Committee chairman Randy Sasser told ABD he called the meeting to find opportunities for improvement in airport operations, adding air travel continues to grow, and Augusta needs to keep pace. At no time is that more obvious than the two weeks when golf fans from around the world arrive for

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre June 24, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Showing off Augusta to FIFA fans

Augusta was on the welcome mat as the first round of games in Atlanta for FIFA World Cup 2026 kicked off this week. Explore Georgia, the tourism arm of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, created “Georgia, The Whole Day Through” at the World Congress Center. As visitors walk through the front door, they will spot a quintessentially Augusta display.  A mini-golf course. Tourism staff got a visit from a famous couple. “Some people just grab a club, grab a scorecard, grab a ball,” Karen Davis, Chief Marketing Officer at

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre June 18, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

June events source of pride for tourism officials

More than 80% of visitors to the Garden City will come from just two organizations that are holding events. Nearly 30,000 of the estimated 34, 340 visitors are expected to attend meetings, reunions, events, and sporting events in Augusta’s River Region. According to Destination Augusta and the Augusta Sports Council, events will generate at least $4,400,868.48 in total estimated economic impact (EEI) in June 2026.  The two biggest visitor events of the month include the Pride Augusta rally weekend and the Juneteenth Augusta festival. There are also Education conferences, a Toy

Read More »
Neil Gordon June 5, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Simon Says: Job challenges in the hotel and restaurant space

Prior to Masters, the leisure and hospitality space lost 1500 jobs over a few months. In general, employment in the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area continued to fall in March, shedding 200 jobs.  Private education and health services continued to add jobs, with another 200 added in March. Over the last year, this sector has added over 2,200 jobs, while the overall employment level has only increased by 200, confirming this sector as the major driver of employment growth nationally and locally. Locally, employment in private education and health services has

Read More »
Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business Economics Professor May 26, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

It’s not just for Masters anymore

A local agency created to help Masters tournament visitors is also available for major events year-round. The Masters Housing Bureau (MHB) was created more than half a century ago, sanctioned by the Augusta National Golf Club. “The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Augusta National came together and formed the Masters Housing Bureau,” Director LaShandrea Redd explained for ABD. “We are very happy that we get the privilege of working with numerous homeowners throughout the CSRA to help them find renters for their lovely properties for Masters, Peach Jam,

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre May 22, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Huge tournament impact at Augusta Regional this year

Leaders at Augusta Regional Airport are still crunching the numbers, but the first review showed increased activity and revenue. Members of the Aviation Commission learned results are up across the board, from arrivals and departures to security screening and jet fuel sales. “The fact that what we pull off with the size of the facility, and what we try to do every year, it’s really miraculous. We kind of punch well above our weight come Masters Week,” executive director Herbert Judon, Jr. told commission members. Kenneth Hinkle, the airport’s Director

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre May 7, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

American Airlines and Delta are growing, while Airport targets new major city

One airline is adding several new flights, another is growing operations, and Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) is preparing a grant to secure a third airline focused on a major Midwest city. American Airlines informed airport management that it will be adding additional service in May and August. It will connect to the Charlotte hub, so it will not add a destination city, but will increase capacity. “They’re going to add more overnight flights, so they’ll have more of a peak,” Airport Executive Director Herbert Judon, Jr. explained to members of

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre May 6, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Tourism leaders hope lodging revenue surpasses $34.2 million in April

There was very little room at the Inn at hotels like the Augusta Marriott last week. Some of the Hotel/Motel taxes trickle down to Destination Augusta to reinvest funds to bring in more conventions. The tourism arm of the City of Augusta says the Smith Travel Research group will release financial estimates in the summer, which will highlight occupancy and revenue rates—including Masters week. Destination Augusta provided ABD with revenue data for the last four years: April 2025 — $34.2 million in hotel/motel revenue April 2024 — $30.2 million April

Read More »
Neil Gordon April 13, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Days of golf, evenings of exploration

Day one of practice rounds is underway at the Augusta National Golf Club (ANGC). When practice rounds and tournament days conclude each evening, area tourism and business leaders want visitors to explore activities off the golf course. Destination Augusta created a new set of tools to showcase the Garden City. It began with a refresh of its Visit Augusta website. “We updated our content and are getting it on the forefront of our homepage so it’s easily accessible to people who are Googling for answers,” Karen Lee Davis of Destination

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre April 6, 2026 No Comments
Load More