Atlanta gets 40 million visitors in 2012, right up with LA and Vegas

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed has announced the city hosted more than 40 million visitors last year, and the record puts Atlanta on par with Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Diego.

Reed made the announcement during a press conference Tuesday afternoon, and said tourism is one of Atlanta’s primary economic drivers.

City officials say visitation has increased by 28 percent in the last decade while the city charted a $5 billion increase in new attractions, restaurants and hotels.

The city’s hospitality industry is set to continue growing as $2.5 billion in development has been planned through 2017. Officials say the industry supports more than 223,000 jobs in Atlanta, and translates to an annual impact of about $12 billion.