One of our top initiatives at Coastal Alabama Partnership (CAP) is to further develop and promote tourism to our region through the newly formed Coastal Alabama Regional Tourism Council (RTC).
This council is comprised of destination marketing organizations in Mobile and Baldwin counties that are funded by lodging tax. The group will collaborate to:
- Promote the entire region as a travel destination;
- Create a regional brand that identifies diverse attractions along the Gulf Coast;
- Advocate for improved infrastructure to link the communities and attractions for easier travel;
- Identify voids in events and activities and ways to extend the tourism season beyond the typical Memorial-to-Labor Day period.
The council’s first action is to come up with a solution to a challenge being created by the closing of the state visitor center along I-10, just east of the Alabama-Mississippi state lines. More than a million travelers stop at the center each year. Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, it will close for two years during construction of a new visitor center.
We have an opportunity for the first time to formally put our assets together as one. We can show the world our uniqueness and diversity when it comes to tourism attractions.
Founding entities of the RTC are the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce, North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, Coastal Alabama Business Chamber, City of Foley, Mobile Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau, Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism, South Mobile County Tourism and South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce.
