County tourism numbers up in 2007
By Staff
Jonathan Willis
If numbers recently released by the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel are any indication, more people got to see what a great place Franklin County is in 2007.
The county experienced a nine percent increase in travel related earnings last year, bringing in $4,356,093. That was an increase from the $3,991,218 in 2006.
It is estimated that almost 22.4 million visitors made Alabama their travel destination in 2007. It is also estimated that Baldwin, Jefferson, Madison, Mobile and Montgomery counties attracted the largest numbers of travelers, totaling 63 percent of all visitors to the state.
The nine percent brought into Franklin County compared favorably with surrounding counties. Colbert and Lauderdale counties both had four percent increases while Lawrence experienced an 11 percent growth. Winston County had a 13 percent increase.
The county also brought in more than the state average in lodging taxes. Franklin County had an 11 percent increase in lodging taxes from 2006 to 2007, making it one of 28 to beat the state average of 10 percent.
The county brought in $65,088 in lodging taxes in 2007 compared with the $58,597 in 2006.
The study credits the increase in lodging taxes to a large number of out-of-town workers in the county working on road projects as well as fishing tournaments and the Watermelon Festival.
"The Bear Creek lakes are one of our greatest assets," said Cheryl Bradford, executive director of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce.
"We have over 200 campsites on the lakes, sheltered pavilions and great fishing. Outdoor recreation is just a short drive from home for a lot of people."
Bradford said the lakes are one attraction that she hopes more people learn about.
"The Bear Creek lakes are a well-kept secret and we are looking at ways of introducing them to more people," she said.
In 2007, it is estimated that travelers spent omore than $9.3 billion in Alabama, which was an increase of 10 percent over 2006 spending,
The largest single travel expenditure was made on eating and drinking. This category accounted for 27 percent of all the travel and tourism spending in the state.
"We have some nice places for people to stay when they are in the county," Bradford said. "If we can get more people to shop here, we have a bright future ahead."
