Florence Betting Millions On Sports Tourism

Dozens of young tennis players tested their mettle at the tennis center Feb. 24. Steps away, baseball players warmed up for a game at Carolina Bank Field. Cars from Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, New York and Virginia sat in the parking lot.

Sports tourism has emerged as a key part of Florence’s economic growth strategy, generating an estimated $12.5 million annual impact within the city and attracting more than 50,000 people, according to officials. But the benefits extend well beyond tourism, they said: access to recreation and athletics for residents, better health outcomes and more business for hotels and restaurants.

Now, the city is pushing to increase sports tourism by 50 percent in the next three to five years, floating $20 million in potential projects to accomplish that goal.

“We’ve recognized the power, the fiscal impact or financial impact, the economic impact that sports tourism brings to the area,” Interim City Manager Scotty Davis said.

To stay proactive amid growing competition from other cities, Florence has suggested a range of improvements to its facilities.

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