People faced economic hardship during the pandemic. Now that summer is just around the corner, one industry in particular will bring financial relief – tourism.

DECATUR, Ala. – “Last year, tourists from other states paid $ 1 billion in taxes to cities and counties in the state of Alabama,” said Lee Sentell, director of the Alabama tourism division.

“Tourists pay a lot of taxes when they come from Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan when they go south,” Sentell said.

This financial boost from tourism helps the local economy thrive, and events like the Alabama Anniversary are helping to attract more tourists outside of the state to the valley.

CONNECTED: Sports tourism boosts Huntsville, Madison County’s economy

“People are able to get off their families, have normal lives and get the economy going. A lot of small businesses here have been hit hard by this pandemic. So these kinds of events are great, they get people off outside in I met a lot of people from Mississippi and Tennessee here today. You can see northern Alabama and the great things that are going on, “said Casey Wardynski, who is running for the seat of the Fifth Congress in northern Alabama.

With summer comes more tourism, Sentell says this event is a prelude to the summer season and a signal for people to get out and enjoy other tourist opportunities.

“From a tourist point of view, this is the unofficial start of the summer season. This means people come to Point Mallard all summer to go to the wave pool, camp, or other family activities so it’s just a lot of excitement and loads of fun to start summer especially after last year which was such a depressing time so it’s a signal it’s time to get outside and visit tourist attractions and be with friends and family “said Sentell.

CONNECTED: The Huntsville / Madison County’s Visitor Center expects more tourists as summer approaches

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