North Alabama sees tourism growth

By Staff
In 2007, travelers spent $1.9 billion while visiting the 16 counties of the Alabama Mountain Lakes region, representing a 13 percent increase over 2006, according to a report recently released by the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel (ABTT). Counties comprising the Alabama Mountain Lakes region are Blount, Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion and Marshall.
In 2007, 29,961 individuals were employed directly and indirectly in the tourism industry in the Alabama Mountain Lakes region, a 5 percent increase over 2006.
State lodging tax collected in the region experienced a 12 percent increase over 2006.
Travelers to the state of Alabama in 2007 spent almost $9.3 billion, representing an increase of 10 percent over 2006 spending.