A press release from the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce reports that 2017 was a record-breaking year for the economic impact of tourism in Dawson County and in the state of Georgia. Numbers released during the Tourism, Hospitality and Arts Day Feb. 5 at the state capitol show that direct tourist spending in Dawson County increased by more than $2 million from 2016 to 2017, with a total of $52.39 million spent in 2017. The release states that tourism activity in Dawson County including shopping at the North Georgia Premium Outlets, zip lining at Amicalola Falls, picking pumpkins at Burt’s Pumpkin Farm and go-karting at Atlanta Motorsports Park generated $1.47 million in local tax revenue and supported 507 jobs.