James_Nov-Dec_2025_web - Flipbook - Page 48
For international travelers, we
have a key message: make Georgia
your home base.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta
International Airport, the world’s
busiest airport with unmatched
global connectivity, will be at the
heart of international and domestic
travel for matches across the U.S.
We’re pitching travelers to stay and
explore everything Georgia has to
offer in between matches and on
return visits beyond 2026.
It’s not just Atlanta that is
poised to benefit. In 2024, 174.2 million domestic and international visitors injected $45.2 billion to Georgia’s economy, breaking records for
a third year, and $5.1 billion in state
and local tax revenues.
We continue to work with our local tourism and hospitality partners
to showcase what makes our state
unique— mountains, beaches and
more are just a few hours from the
capital city and international airport.
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Our communities also offer
vibrant arts and culture experiences, with opportunities to step into
the settings of fan-favorite films
and TV series, a niche Georgia has
carved out with names like “Stranger Things.” As one of the original
13 colonies, our communities could
play leading roles in America’s
250th anniversary celebrations with
Georgia US250.
Consistency at the Core
Throughout our history, Georgia’s leaders have made innovative,
solutions-focused investments. That
tradition remains our compass. Georgia’s No. 1 State for Business title for
12 consecutive years underscores
our consistency and continued focus
on partnering with the business
community to craft smart policy.
The state’s longstanding international relationships are built on the
same commitment to mutually beneficial partnerships. With more than
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50 years in Japan and Europe, over
40 years in Korea, and now 30 years
in Brazil, Georgia’s relationships over
a dozen key markets are proof points
for business development.
Subnational partnerships pay
dividends for Georgians through
trade and investment, including
four consecutive years of record-breaking exports. As business
leaders decide what the future of
their company entails, Georgia remains a stable partner and reliable
resource for navigating business.
Whether it’s a small business
in rural Georgia trying to grow
their international sales, a global
industry leader consolidating key
U.S. operations or a community
strengthening its industry base, the
Georgia Department of Economic
Development is ready to connect
them with the partners and resources they need for success.
Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson, a native of
Franklin Springs, was appointed in 2016.
