CULLMAN —
Kay Donaldson offered a positive and bright outlook for the tourism industry in 2012 to those in attendance during the Chamber of Commerce's monthly Fourth Friday luncheon.
Donaldson, who serves as the vice president of marketing for the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, as well as the program director for Alabama Bass Trail, said tourism was up 22.9 percent in Cullman in 2011, partially due to the April 27 tornado. She expects it to be even better for 2012.
"A portion of that was from the storm and how well you took care of your neighbors," she said. "However, we see other growth in the county. With all of the festivals and the other growth you guys have done, we see positive growth numbers as well."
One thing that could help those numbers is the recent launching and introduction of the Alabama Bass Trail. The trail, which was modeled after the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, features 11 of Alabama's premiere bass fishing lakes, and stretches from the mountains of North Alabama south to the Mobile delta, allowing for a year-round destination for anglers from across the country.
"We looked at over 30 lakes in Alabama and tried to decide which ones provide a quality experience for visitors, which ones had quality tournaments, and which ones had great reputations for hosting big events," Donaldson said.
Of the 11, five of the spots are in north Alabama. Cullman's own Smith Lake is one of them.
"Lewis Smith Lake was chosen because of the community that surrounds the lake," Donaldson said. "Cullman is very tourism minded. They approach the anglers with open arms hospitality and they have the boat hookups, which is important. All the things anglers deem important, this community had."
Other lakes on the trail include Lake Guntersville, Wheeler Lake, Pickwick Lake, Neely Henry Lake, Logan Martin Lake, Lay Lake, Lake Jordan, Alabama River, Lake Eufaula and Mobile-Tensaw River Delta.
"We're very excited about it," Donaldson said. "We feel like we offer a great deal of challenges to anglers, but also great rewards when they catch that trophy bass."
* Ashley Graves can be reached by phone at 734-2131, ext. 225 or by email at agraves@cullmantimes.com
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Kay Donaldson, vice president of marketing for the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, discusses the tourism industry during the Chamber of Commerce's monthly Fourth Friday luncheon. David Palmer
Discussion
Outlook for tourism growth promising for Cullman area
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