Athens-Limestone tourism group welcoming visitors at I-65 center
Published 9:46 am Thursday, May 17, 2018
- Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks, right, this week signed a proclamation for National Travel and Tourism Week, which spans May 14-19. He was joined by Teresa Todd, director of the Athens-Limestone Tourism Association. Representative with the Athens-Limestone Tourism Association are at the Ardmore Welcome Center off Interstate 65 today to welcome southbound travelers to Limestone County.
The Athens-Limestone Tourism Association is welcoming visitors to Limestone County today as part of National Travel and Tourism Week.
Representatives from the local tourism office will be at the Ardmore Welcome Center on Interstate 65 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today to welcome southbound visitors.
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National Travel and Tourism Week spans May 14-19. Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks signed a proclamation earlier this week to mark the observance.
“Today’s travel has a positive effect on Alabama and the nation’s economic growth, business production as well as the traveler,” said a press release from the local tourism group. “With more than 25.8 million people visiting the State of Alabama, travelers are estimated to have spent more than $13.3 billion in Alabama.”
According to data provided by the state tourism department, the total impact of the travel and tourism industry on Alabama’s earnings is estimated at more than $4.7 billion, and more than $836 million of state and local tax revenues were generated by travel and tourism activities. Without those taxes, the department said, each household in Alabama would have had to pay $444 in additional taxes to maintain current service levels.
The data also found travel-related expenses by Limestone County visitors and guests topped $128.9 million in 2016. Lodging taxes collected by Limestone County increased in 3.9 percent to $642,219.00 in 2016.
“Leisure Travel spurs countless benefits to travelers’ health and wellness, creativity, cultural awareness, education, happiness, productivity and relationships,” the release said. “Sounds like a great time to take a trip and discover our Alabama communities during our bicentennial year.”
