Tuscaloosa to Host State Leaders During Alabama Governor’s Conference on Tourism

Leaders from all over Alabama will gather in Tuscaloosa later this summer for the 2024 Alabama Governor's Conference on Tourism to talk about how to improve the multi-billion-dollar business of drawing visitors to our state.

The event has been held annually for more than a decade at sites across Alabama, and this year's iteration will be co-hosted here by Visit Tuscaloosa and the Alabama Travel Council at the Bryant Conference Center.

The conference is scheduled for July 27th through the 30th and will see leaders from the tourism and hospitality industries join elected officials to learn, network and strategize while also seeing some of what's on offer here in the Druid City.

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A spokesperson for Visit Tuscaloosa said the event is expected to draw around 250 attendees.

"Tourism is not only vital to our economy but also serves as a vehicle for showcasing the unique culture, heritage and hospitality of Tuscaloosa, said Kelsey Rush, President and CEO of Visit Tuscaloosa. "The Alabama Governor's Conference on Tourism presents an exceptional opportunity for us to highlight our city's attractions and amenities while fostering collaboration within the industry."

Rush shared figures showing just how big a business tourism is for Tuscaloosa, saying 10,400 people work in tourism and hospitality in the County and nearly 3 million visitors pumped $1 billion into the local economy in 2023 alone.

"We are thrilled to welcome our tourism peers from across the state to experience firsthand the warmth and hospitality for which Tuscaloosa is renowned," Rush said.

For more on the conference as details are released, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.