Visitation to Atlanta increased seven percent over 2012, when Atlanta surpassed 40 million visitors for the first time. The increase has further solidified metro Atlanta's position as one of the nation's top travel destinations.

"2013 was an extraordinary year for Atlanta as we hit 45 million visitors," said Mayor Reed during his remarks at the annual meeting. "That's more than Las Vegas and California and just 10 million away from surpassing New York City."

ACVB's annual meeting highlighted the tourism milestone and showcased more than $1.5 billion in new attractions, hotels, retail, and transit coming to Atlanta this year with the theme "Breaking New Ground." New openings in 2014 include the Center for Civil and Human Rights, College Football Hall of Fame and a new Atlanta Streetcar.

Atlanta's hospitality industry looks to continue this growth by opening another nearly $2 billion in development over the next three years. By 2017, the Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Falcons will both open brand new state-of-the-art stadiums. The same year, Atlanta will become home to a new Major League Soccer team.

"Atlanta has a lot of momentum as a destination, which is why I believe we will hit 55 million visitors by the end of the decade." said Pate.

Pictured here (left to right) John W. Stephenson, Jr., president and CEO, College Football Hall of Fame; Chris Womack, chairman of the Board, ACVB; Monica Pearson, Kiss 104.7 FM, host of The Monica Pearson Show; William Pate, president and CEO, ACVB and Doug Shipman, CEO, National Center for Center and Human Rights at last week's ACVB Annual Meeting.

Domestic visitation estimates are produced by D.K. Shifflet & Associates Ltd., a travel research firm, specializing in consumer-based travel data on U.S. residents and their travel.

Established in 1913, ACVB is a private, nonprofit organization created to favorably impact the Atlanta economy through conventions and tourism. For more information on what's new in Atlanta, visit Atlanta.net.