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2018 breaks record for travel industry’s economic impact in Madison County

Number of visitors increased 6% over 2017

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 20, 2019

Link to economic impact card

(Huntsville, AL) – The Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), along with the Alabama Tourism Department and Governor Kay Ivey, released 2018 economic impact data for the travel industry on both the state and local level. 2018 saw the economic impact of travel and tourism to Madison County reaching its highest levels ever, providing over 17,200 jobs and an economic impact of $1.4 billion in Madison County alone. Roughly 3.4 million visitors traveled to the area in 2018, with Huntsville/Madison County residents saving $854 per household in taxes as a result of travel expenditures.

 

Those figures, as reported by the Alabama Tourism Department, represent a 7.6% increase in traveler spending on hotels, restaurants, shopping and transportation.

 

“Travel and tourism in Madison County is thriving,” said CVB President/CEO Judy Ryals. “More people than ever are coming to see all the amazing things we have to offer as a community; they’re experiencing our arts scene and our incredible dining options, they’re witnessing first-hand how Huntsville built the U.S. space program and sent man to the moon. One thing is for sure – once people visit Huntsville, we know they’ll be back. We are proud of how the travel and tourism industry supports local jobs, and we are honored to create a better quality of life for locals and our visitors.”

 

2019 is expected to be another record-breaking year, as celebrations for the Apollo 11 50th anniversary and state bicentennial take place throughout the community. The moon landing anniversary has garnered international media attention for Huntsville, landing the city a spot in The New York Times coveted “52 Places to Go in 2019” list. Visitors from around the country

and across the globe are anticipated to visit the Rocket City to experience the special activities happening in celebration of these significant milestones.

 

For more information, contact Kristen Pepper, CVB Marketing Manager at 256.874.0583 or kristen@huntsville.org.

 

 

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