Alabama Governor Kay Ivey spoke Tuesday to members of Alabama’s tourism and hospitality industry at the Alabama Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Auburn. During her speech, Ivey reflected on the remarkable year Alabama’s tourism industry experienced and shared her expectations for even more success in the near future and beyond.
“Just a few short months ago in May, Director (Lee) Sentell and I visited Conecuh Sausage,” Ivey said. “Now, while I did purchase some sausage to load up in my cooler, I was really there to announce Alabama’s record-breaking tourism numbers. I talked a bit about the momentum we were – and still are – experiencing as a state, despite the curveballs of the current economic climate and the last couple of years. Our economic development numbers for last year made 2021 the second-best year in our state’s history. Without a doubt, our tourism industry has been and continues to be a major contributor to that fact.”
Unlike many states, Alabama was open for business throughout most of the 2021 tourist season. The state also benefitted from COVID-19 restrictions on international travel that led many American tourists to search for domestic travel destinations.
“While the national industry lost 42 percent of its revenue, Alabama ranked in the top five states for the least amount of revenue lost,” Ivey continued. “To recap some of those numbers I shared back in May…Our tourists spent a record almost $20 billion dollars. Alabama was the fourth most searched state, according to the U.S. Travel Association. As I said in May: We’re just getting started! Folks, today, while I am among some of the best in the tourism industry, I want to share something I think all of you will be excited about, but you certainly won’t be surprised. Barring any unexpected downturns, Director Sentell informs me that Alabama is on a trajectory to EXCEED expectations. Based on the adjusted numbers, it looks like your industry is going to exceed 24 billion dollars this calendar year. Twenty FOUR!”
Ivey said that the tourism industry in the state has grown by $10 billion since she was elevated to Governor in 2017.
“I am proud to say that in the past ten years, our industry has more than doubled. We have grown from $11 billion dollars in 2013 to more than $24 billion dollars this year,” Ivey said. “And since I have been governor, I am extremely proud that our tourism industry has grown by $10 billion dollars. These are the kind of results that are taking Alabama flying at full speed ahead. I’ll leave you with this: As we head into the next four years, I assure you that you have a governor who is committed a thousand percent to supporting the tourism industry and to the work that each and every one of you do.”
This conference provided tourism professionals a chance to gather and learn about the economic impact of the industry on the Alabama economy, as well as learning new strategies for marketing local Alabama attractions and amenities to visitors. The group also raised money for scholarships through silent auctions and celebrated their achievements.
In 2021 the state collected $72,602,073 in revenue for the state general fund (SGF) from the 4% state lodging tax. Travelers spent an estimated $19.6 billion in Alabama in 2021. Alabama attracted 28.2 million visitors that year. The travel and tourism industries produced $1.1 billion in revenue for state and local coffers while providing 227,334 jobs for Alabamians. The beaches of Baldwin County remain the state’s most popular tourist destination. Baldwin County had 8,037,049 visitors in 2021, up from 5,956,566 in 2020.
Ivey is seeking a second term as Governor. She faces Libertarian Dr. James “Jimmy” Blake and Democrat Yolanda Rochelle Flowers in the Nov. 8 general election.
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