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Tourism carries its weight
May 1, 2008
From the Wednesday, April 30 Mobile Press Register editorial
Economic development in Alabama appropriately calls up images of state-of-the-art automobile plants and steel mills, bustling airplane assembly works and crane-draped shipbuilding facilities. A new study, however, points out that the state's tourist attractions fuel a powerful and growing economic engine of their own. Standing quietly in contrast to the drama of heavy industry is a more than $9 billion activity that accommodates, feeds and entertains upwards of 22 million visitors to the state each year.
According to an economic impact report released last week by Gov. Bob Riley, tourism provides about 170,000 jobs and generates millions in tax revenues for state and local governments. Those millions help fill government coffers. The state gets revenues from a 4 percent lodging tax, bringing in enough to fund the Alabama Tourism Department plus contribute about $34 million to the state's General Fund.
To focus national attention on the state, the tourism department has successfully adopted a marketing strategy that zeroes in on a single theme. The department highlighted Alabama's cuisine a couple of years ago. Last year, the focus was on the arts. And 2008 is the year of sports. From beaches to mountains and the Civil War to civil rights, Alabama offers a lot to travelers. Traditional manufacturing may power Alabama's economy, but the $9 billion tourism industry cannot be ignored.
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