Five Minutes With … Mark Ezell
Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development
Chair of the Board, Travel South USA
As Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, Mark Ezell spearheads the state’s global tourism strategy. He is responsible for building national campaigns that reinforce Tennessee as a world-class destination while fostering long-term growth through revenue and job creation. We caught up with Ezell—a seventh-generation Tennessean—to learn more about where he sees the state and overall region heading in the future.
What initiatives or strategies are you prioritizing to ensure the South is a must-visit destination for group tour operators?
The newest initiative we are so proud of is the work in procuring the Michelin Guide to the American South, proving the region’s distinctive flavors and culinary innovation can match up with anywhere in the world. We’re excited to celebrate the talented chefs and restaurants behind these experiences. In addition, we continue to grow inbound direct flights throughout the Travel South region, because people are finding out how welcoming we are with our diverse tourism assets—music, outdoors, history, and culture.
How does heritage and civil rights tourism fit into the future of group travel?
We know travelers want to learn and it’s an honor for us to inspire travelers and talk about the country’s past, hear impactful stories of the U.S. Civil Rights Trail, and build hope for the future. What we’ve seen is six million visitors at our 131 U.S. Civil Rights Trail sites across 14 states in 2024, which brings $3.3 billion of total economic impact in the Travel South region.
How do you balance continuing to grow tourism while ensuring that growth is sustainable and benefits local communities?
We grow tourism by working with local communities and stakeholders. For example, working with state parks on conservation efforts and habitats, because we want to grow visitation while preserving assets for the benefit of residents and future visitors. Partnerships are key to how we build out sustainable plans.
Anything additional you’d like to add?
We believe Travel South is a special region in the U.S. because a visitor can find authentic experiences—from breathtaking views at the largest national park in America to beautiful beaches to the sounds of live entertainment of music genres that span the entire music spectrum to world-renowned culinary—met with southern hospitality. In the South, all y’all are welcome.
Edited by Sarah Suydam, Managing Editor for Groups Today.
This article originally appeared in the Mar/Apr ’26 issue of Groups Today.
