By John Sharp
When the onset of the pandemic began in 2020, state and local officials touted a beach vacation as a safer alternative with plenty of social distancing, sun and surf for a family looking to get outside and away from the house.
Alabama’s annual tourism statistics, released earlier this month, continue to illustrate the popularity of the beaches four years after the pandemic. According to the 2023 figures, the percentage of statewide tourism spending, earnings, and visitors continues to increase for the Gulf Coast region.
