Montgomery tops state in tourism growth

MONTGOMERY -- Strong gains in key tourism indicators point to the emergence of tourism in Montgomery as a major driver of the regional economy.

The city of Montgomery's lodging tax collections increased by 15.2 percent from October 2004 to September 2005, and 2004 hotel occupancy rates averaged 64 percent, up 3.4 percent from 2003.

The Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce's Convention & Visitor Bureau reports that, according to most recent surveys by the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel, Montgomery experienced a 36.2 percent increase in tourism job growth from 2000-2004 and a 49 percent increase in travel-related earnings from 2000-2004.

Montgomery leads the state in tourism increases.