A stout tourism year, a comeback of national sporting events, and a fruitful Leave Only Footprints at the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber’s First Friday Forum are the tourism success hallmarks announced by Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism (GSOBT).
Every part of the 2016 season, from December 2015 through August 2016, has seen astounding lodging rental rises. As of August 2016, lodging reached a 5.7% spike, alongside retail at 6.7%.
Looking back, 2015 was a successful year for tourism, raking in over 6 million travelers who spent an estimated $4 billion on Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. The expectations for 2016 don’t appear to be any different. It’s no secret that tourism revenues are an economic backbone for this region, and these off the chart numbers are only helping its residents. If 2016 tourism dollars meet expectations, that will mark the 6th year in a row of record-breaking tourism for Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
The Leave Only Footprints campaign was initiated to promote spotless, friendly, and safe beaches for those visiting Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Since its recent start, it has shipped 160 tons of material off these beaches. The goal of the initiative is to provide guests of these beaches with a memorable and enjoyable vacation with memories of pristine beaches. The project couldn’t be performed alone, however. According to the program’s ambassadors, over 47,000 were interacted with through this initiative.
Also in 2016, Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission held over a hundred sporting events, some of which included national championships like the Inaugural NCAA National Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championship. The Gulf Shores and Orange Beach region is a popular venue to host a wide range of events for its stellar hospitality, pristine facility quality, and gorgeous beaches. Collectively, those events amount to almost 100,000 lodging room nights and $127 million in economic effect. November of this year brought the SEC Women’s Soccer Championship and over 400 culinary teams to the World Food Championships.
What’s on the upcoming calendar for Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism? Returning events will include the NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship, the SEC Women’s Soccer Conference Championship, and the NAIA Men and Women Outdoor Track and Field National Championship.
Thanks for reading and happy holidays! Please contact Century 21 Meyer – Kris Powell if you’re looking to buy or sell in the Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan areas in 2017.
Sources:
GulfCoastNewsToday.com
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