Cherry Blossom Festival brings in $6.1 million economic impact to Macon

The festival saw an increase in visitation from both locals and those visiting.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Cherry Blossom Festival had a record economic impact in 2024, bringing in $6.1 million, up from $5.5 million in 2023.

Aaron Buzza, the Vice President and COO of Visit Macon, says there were 186,367 local visitors, which is a 16% increase from last year. 38,338 visitors were from outside Macon, which is a 6% increase from the previous year.

Buzza says Macon has more cherry blossom trees than anywhere else in the U.S., making it a must-visit destination for many.

“We see a lot of visitors from the Southeast, a good number from Florida, quite a few from South Carolina, Tennessee and Alabama, especially,” Buzza said. “And so those visitors, because it’s a relatively easy drive for them to get here, it makes it very approachable.”

According to Visit Macon, 51% of visitors who traveled 50 or more miles stayed in Macon for more than two days.