Improvements at Nashville International Airport will bring more visitors to Music City

This article was provided by North Point Hospitality, who are developing the new tri-brand Marriott hotel slated to open in Nashville this winter.

Announced in July, 2016, Chamber member Nashville International Airport has undertaken a $1.2 billion expansion.

This necessary renovation will be a tremendous addition to the city and will aid in transporting more visitors through Music City on a daily basis. As hotel supply grows and more businesses choose to relocate to Nashville, visitor density to the city will greatly increase and the airport will be one of the most important gateways to the city.

In 2017, the number of Nashville International visitors hit a record high with 14.1 million travelers using the airport. These numbers are expected to increase along with the population of the city, which is anticipated to hit 2.5 million in the next 25 years. As more businesses move to Nashville, it is expected that more travel will follow and Nashville will become a more prominent travel destination. In fact, Nashville International expects to see 23 million visitors through the airport by 2041. 

While those are big numbers, they appear to be achievable. The Music City Center is expecting a 13% increase in room nights for 2019 alone, as well as increases in the following years. Additionally, British Airways, which launched a direct flight to London in 2018, recently announced that they will be expanding service from 5 days per week to 7 days per week due of the popularity of the flight.

The expansion of the airport will include some exciting upgrades as well as some great new conveniences for travelers. In addition to a new 6-story parking garage opened late 2018 with 2,000 parking spots, the renovation will include: an expansion to concourse D with new dining options and additional gates, an increase in ticketing and baggage claim areas, an office plaza with the potential of a full-service hotel, a central terminal, an international arrivals facility, and a relocation of Donelson Pike.

Airports are often the first welcome to any guest visiting a city, functioning as the gateway to a new adventure and state of mind. With state-of-the-art advances and expansions, the Nashville International Airport will be the perfect welcome for guests traveling to the city. The next stop for the Music City traveler is their hotel. The new SpringHill Suites/Residence Inn/AC Hotel, opening January 24, 2019, will be a welcome home for guests. With 470 thoughtfully designed guestrooms and suites, filled with stylish amenities, guests will find all the comforts of home combined with sweeping views of the Nashville skyline.

Nashville’s growth is bringing expansion to a variety of areas in the city’s economy. While the expansion of the Nashville International Airport will take place over several years and in various phases, the end result will offer travelers an impressive first look at Music City.