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A Message from the President

We often hear about the economic impact of various industry sectors, and today, we take this opportunity to pay tribute to one booming economic engine in particular-- Alabama’s tourism industry. With an annual economic impact greater than $6 billion, tourism ranks among the state’s top industries. Our great attractions and beautiful destinations make Alabama an ideal place for families to enjoy endless vacationing possibilities. Because so many exciting things are happening in this multi-billion dollar industry, we’ve put together just a taste of what Alabama has to offer, as well as the impact the industry brings to Alabama’s table.
             
James P. Hayes, Jr.

With Alabama's 2004 tourism and travel spending estimated to be $7 billion, the state is looking at a six percent increase over the previous year when an estimated 18.9 million-plus visitors collectively spent more than $6.7 billion in Alabama throughout 2003. Accounting for eight percent of all non-agricultural jobs in Alabama, the approximate 150,000 direct and indirect jobs attributed to this booming industry contributed $2.8 billion to Alabama's 2004 earnings.

Alabama's Gulf Coast beaches: major tourism players
Nestled along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, with its vast stretch of sugar-white Alabama beaches, Baldwin County is one of the state's major tourism draws. In 2003, the county generated more than 41,000 travel-related jobs and had a travel-related economic impact on Alabama totaling more than $1.8 billion.

As host to North America's first-known Mardi Gras celebration, Mobile reaps the benefit of boasting rights and apparently-- a whole lot more. According to a recent study commissioned by the Mobile Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau and paid for by the Mobile Carnival Association, the two-week festivities have an economic impact on Mobile and Baldwin counties that is more than 20 times the previously thought figure. Marking the first time in at least two decades that Mardi Gras' economic impact has had an in-depth examination, the study reported that the 2004 celebration had a $408 million economic impact on the counties, and more than a $445 million impact on Alabama.

This year’s Mardi Gras festivities, which began on January 8 culminate on February 8, also known as Fat Tuesday. Click here for more information on Mobile’s timeless celebration.

The Alabama Bureau of Tourism & Travel is inviting tourists to dig into the state's culinary treasures, recently launching "The Year of Alabama Food" campaign. Visit http://www.800alabama.com/yof for tasty finds such as Alabama recipes, food festival schedules, restaurant listings and much more.

This sampling barely skims the list-- click on Alabama's Top 100 Must-Eat Dishes to see the Alabama Bureau of Tourism's complete list of 200-plus recommended dishes throughout Alabama.

Since Vulcan Park's reopening in March 2004, the god of the forge has drawn more than 100,000 visitors to Birmingham's Red Mountain. Within the first six months, tourists from all 50 states had set foot in the park.

The largest cast-iron statue in the world, Vulcan is a 60-ton symbol of Alabama's iron industry. Available for special events, the beautifully manicured 10-acre park's facilities also include a Vulcan Education Center as well as some of Birmingham's most spectacular metropolitan views. Click here for information on admissions and hours of operation.
Photograph Source: Vulcan Park Foundation.

Carnival Cruise Line’s Holiday could mean a $20 million annual boost to Mobile’s economy, according to estimates made by the University of South Alabama's Director of the Center for Business & Economic Research and Economics Professor Semoon Chang. Within two months of Holiday’s maiden voyage in October 2004, the city had already gleaned $1.16 million from local spending among the 660-member crew and approximately 15,000 passengers. Click here and treat yourself to a Holiday.

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