ATLANTA — Georgia’s tourism industry continues to soar, breaking records for the third year in a row.

A State Senate Study Committee is touring the state to hear from business and tourism leaders about how to keep that momentum going.

State Sen. Sonya Halpern (D–Atlanta), who chairs the committee, said the meetings, held in Gainesville, Savannah, Valdosta and soon Henry County, highlight one common theme: Georgia needs to invest more in promoting itself.

“If we invest more money in marketing and promoting our state, it will allow them to get more butts in seats and more heads in beds,” Halpern said.

Governor Brian Kemp said more than 170 million visitors came to Georgia last year, spending over $45 billion and generating nearly $5 billion in tax revenue.

Halpern said tourism is Georgi

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