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Alabama Tourism and Travel Up

By Robert Blomquist

Published: Thu, April 24, 2008 - 10:50 pm Last Updated: Thu, April 24, 2008 - 11:01 pm

Short URL: http://wkrg.com/a/13186/

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - A new study for the state tourism agency
says travel and tourism in Alabama grew by 10 percent in 2007.
The annual study by Auburn University Montgomery estimated 22.4
million people visited Alabama last year and spent $9.3 billion.
That was up from 22.1 million travelers in 2006 who spent $8.4
billion.
The report said the top five destinations - Baldwin, Jefferson,
Madison, Mobile and Montgomery counties - accounted for 63 percent
of the travelers.
The study's findings are backed up by state tax collections. The
state Revenue Department reported earlier that collections from the
state lodgings tax grew 9.6 percent in 2007 to $45 million.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)