Dauphin Island Times

Bird-watchers will descend on Fort Morgan and Dauphin Island next week for the 2006 annual BirdFest.

Southeast tourism industry wages post-hurricane campaign

MOBILE, Ala. — The Southeastern tourism industry, rebounding from devastating hurricanes in 2004 and 2005, is taking steps to make sure it continues to draw thousands to its cruise ships, fall colors, festivals, bird-watching trails and scores of other October
attractions.

The Southeast Tourism Society on Friday said it has hired communication and travel experts to spread the post-hurricane message of recovery that’s already obvious in Alabama, where the tourism industry grew by 14 percent, or more than $1 billion, during the fiscal year that ended Oct. 1.

Hurricane Ivan struck the Alabama coast and Florida Panhandle on Sept. 16, 2004. Then came hurricanes Katrina and Rita last year — a catastrophe for Louisiana and Mississippi.

But escaping any Gulf of Mexico hurricane damage so far this year, tourism officials are encouraged by the market’s rebound.

In Alabama, some of the growth comes from major events like the four-day National Shrimp Festival at Gulf Shores that ends Sunday. An estimated 250,000 tourists will attend it over the four days.

While beach resorts generate 28 percent of Alabama’s tourism spending, smaller events add to the travel mix. Bird-watchers will descend on Fort Morgan and Dauphin Island next week for the annual BirdFest. The Governor’s Mansion in Montgomery will be open Friday and Saturday for the annual fall color tours, which are free.

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