Tourism Officials Expect Big Year in Alabama for 2015
[gtxvideo vid=”e30alh5z” playlist=”” pid=”XiOflQdH” thumb=”http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/e30alh5z.jpg” vtitle=”2015 tourism”]
A new year has begun in Alabama and with it a new year for tourists to take in the state’s attractions and spend money.
Alabama Tourism Director Lee Sentell and his staff have just closed the books on a record year for tourism in 2014. He estimates tourists spent between 11 and 12 billion dollars in the state. That’s up 4 percent from 2013.
Sentell is hoping for an even bigger year for 2015. Maybe the biggest event for the year is the 50th anniversiry of the Selma to Montgmery march. Sentell says this week’s release of the movie “Selma” has a chance to open up Alabama to a whole new audience of tourists.
Sentell says $850 million dollars of state and local tax revenues were generated by travel and tourism activities in Alabama last year.
