Alabama’s tourism industry booming, official says

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – Vacationers are packing as much as go to Alabama’s Gulf Coast and points of interest. The Alabama Tourism Division has seen a lot progress.

“Alabama is a spot that folks take pleasure in visiting it,” mentioned the the tourism division’s director, Lee Sentell.

The tourism knowledgeable defined individuals are coming again 12 months after 12 months because the trade skyrockets.

“Tourism has grown by a billion {dollars} a 12 months, with one million extra folks coming than the 12 months earlier than, for 5 out of the final six years,” Sentell added.

He believes Alabama is a pleasant state with reasonably priced locations.

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the tourism trade took a significant hit. Nationwide tourism went down 45% in 2020. Sentell notes Alabama solely went down 20%.

“That’s as a result of folks love to come back to Alabama’s seashores. They love our state parks. They love different actions,” he mentioned.

Massive crowds are anticipated this Memorial Day weekend alongside Alabama’s Gulf Coast.

“The room lodging, bookings are up,” mentioned Ken Grimes with Orange Seashore. “Individuals are headed and able to get exterior as soon as once more. We’re equipped for summer season.”

Vacationers will see greater costs on the pump, however the state doesn’t consider the price of gasoline will deter too many of us.

“People who find themselves from the furthest distances, possibly we’re not going to have as many individuals from Michigan and Indiana as we’ve had prior to now, however we’re nonetheless going to do very nicely,” Sentell mentioned.

He mentioned a part of the state’s success comes from $10 million the governor offered the Alabama Tourism Division for tourism and financial restoration.

That cash was put towards ads on every county.

That’s the reason Alabama ranked quantity 5 on Google’s most searched states, Sentell mentioned.

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