VisitColumbusGA Drives Growth, Connection and Community Pride

Courtesy of VisitColumbusGA

There’s a renewed energy in Columbus right now, with new leadership at VisitColumbusGA, the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Choose Columbus and Uptown Columbus. While all four of these organizations play a role in the city’s economic growth, VisitColumbusGA is using a strategy that encompasses locals to boost tourism.

“At VisitColumbusGA, we’re embracing a resident-first approach, while still working to make the city the best destination it can be,” says Ashley Woitena, the new president and CEO of VisitColumbusGA, the destination marketing organization in charge of tourism, conventions and trade shows. “We believe that when locals love where they live, visitors feel that energy too.”

Woitena, who stepped into her new role in March, admits she’s a numbers person who often defaults to data and analytics when determining the best way to promote the city.

Impact of Tourism

No doubt the numbers tell a remarkable story. According to Columbus State University’s Butler Center for Research and Economic Development, more than 2 million people visited Columbus in 2024, where they:

• Generated $377 million in visitor spending
• Left behind $26 million in local sales and lodging tax
• Supported nearly 4,500 jobs

“When that money comes in, they are basically a temporary taxpayer for us,” Woitena says. “They stay in hotels. They eat in our local restaurants. They shop. They fill up with gas. And that sales tax then helps fund essential services, like safety, education and infrastructure.”

Courtesy of VisitColumbusGA

The impact of tourism, however, not only shows in the impressive numbers, but in the way it enhances quality of life for the people who live here.

“It’s truly about building the kind of community that attracts people, investment and businesses,” Woitena points out. “Yes, we have the data, but we also have a sense of pride in our community.”

Activities in Columbus, GA

Fortunately, there’s plenty to fall in love with. The beautiful Chattahoochee River courses through Uptown with the longest natural urban whitewater rafting course in the world. In 2025, the International Canoe Federation dubbed Columbus the center of excellence for freestyle kayaking. Visitors and residents alike can surf the waves, enjoy flat-water activities such as fly-fishing, or check out the riverwalk, perfect for strolling, biking and more. Scenic state parks, a vibrant arts scene, and one-of-a-kind museums offer their own brand of fun and entertainment. Must-try eateries serve up specialties like the Scrambled Dog, a popular local invention featuring a chopped hotdog and condiments crowned with oyster crackers for crunch. New sporting and outdoor options are in the works, including a pickleball facility and kayaking schools.

Named the most welcoming city in America by Travel + Leisure in 2025, Columbus has also garnered a reputation for its friendly, helpful environment. “You don’t get that kind of designation without people buying into what we’re doing,” Woitena says. “When people who live in Columbus are proud of our community, and engaged in what we’re doing, then a visitor is going to feel that authenticity. We always hope our visitors fall in love with Columbus. But just as importantly, we want our residents to feel that same love for the city they call home.”

Learn more about Columbus, GA, or plan your trip today at visitcolumbusga.com.