Augusta tourism spots prepare for rush of guests during golf week

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Some downtown Augusta businesses call it the 13th month of the year — a week when tourists flood the city and spending triples compared to an average month.

Golf week brings in three times as much as an average month of hotel spending from tourists in the city. Restaurants and shopping add to the economic impact.

One of the big tourist spots is the Augusta Canal, connected to Rae’s Creek, which will be seen by millions on TV next week.

“John Rae was one of the first Irish immigrants that settled in Augusta back in the late 1700s. And now it’s nationally known for the Masters,” said Julianna Shurtleff, education programs director at Augusta Canal Authority.

Meanwhile, the Augusta Canal will be visited by thousands of tourists next week.

“One of my favorite things is meeting people from out of town or even locals that have never been to the canal and telling them and sharing that rich history that we have here,” Shurtleff said.

Thousands of tourists come to Augusta for golf, but once they arrive they discover other attractions like the canal and downtown businesses. That boost is felt throughout the rest of the year.

“Last year’s spending was over $32 million just in hotel motel revenue. So you can just imagine what kind of an impact that has when you add in food and drink, you add in shopping,” said Karen Davis, chief marketing officer at Destination Augusta.

Augusta and Co is downtown’s tourist welcome center. Its staff directs first-time visitors to the city’s restaurants and tourist attractions.

“It’s a great boost to our local economy. It’s a great boost of visitor spending. And it has a huge impact on local businesses,” Davis said.

“It brings so many tourists to town and people don’t realize that we are actually a really large tourist city,” Shurtleff said.

Golf drives spring tourism in Augusta. Outside the course, other local spots feel the boost.

The canal is bringing back its boat tours starting at the beginning of next week. The Canal Authority will offer three tours a day for locals and golf tourists to see the city from a different angle.