The Hospitality Association of Jackson County, is kicking off its second year, and we only have you to thank! As a reminder- the Mission of the Association is to connect the local tourism industry with support that helps improve overall visitor experience. We’re starting a little slower due to COVID uncertainties, but we have decided to move forward due to the fact that our local businesses need more support than ever! Based on feedback during year one, we’re making a shift to the training content in 2021. Although you are certainly welcome to join us, this year’s training sessions are also geared towards educating your employees on the great things there are to do in the area. Often, visitors ask what there is to do in the area and since all of our local businesses help support each other we are looking to arm your employees with some fast facts on what else visitors can go to enhance their experience when visiting Jackson County. Each of our meetings this year will be in “field trip” fashion to allow you and the employees you choose to send the chance to experience some of our attractions just like a visitor would.

1. TOURISM 101
Jackson County's Voice of
Economic Progress for the
Tourism & Travel Industry

2. DEFINITION -
The practice of traveling for recreation
The guidance or management of tourists
The promotion or encouragement of touring
The accommodation of travelers/visitors
WHAT IS
TOURISM?

3. ARTS & CULTURAL
“creative placemaking” — which means
using the arts to develop an area where
people want to live, work and congregate
FORMS
ADVENTURE/SPORTS
Visitors travel to experience outdoor
activities and/or competition Market
Size to Increase Over $1.38 Trillion
ECOTOURISM
involves responsible travel to natural areas
that conserve the environment, sustains the
well-being of the local people and involves
interpretation and education.
OF TOURISM
.
FESTIVAL
Major one-time or recurring events of limited
duration, developed primarily to enhance the
awareness, appeal and profitability of a tourism
destination in the short and/or long term

4. INTANGIBLE PRODUCT
Each destination provides a unique experience
Tourism products are perishable
Tourism interacts with external forces
PROPERTIES
OF TOURISM
LABOR-INTENSIVE
An export product that relies on internal
community members to increase export

5. PURPOSE OF TRAVEL
People travel to our area for lots of reasons, and they
do not look at the area the same way that locals do.
VISITING FRIENDS AND/OR FAMILY
CONVENTIONS, SEMINARS AND MEETINGS
BUSINESS
OUTDOOR RECREATION
ENTERTAINMENT
PERSONAL
SPORTS TOURNAMENTS
ELEMENTS
OF TOURISM

6. HOW TOURISM
DOLLARS SUPPORT
OUR ECONOMY
Travel Expenditures support Employment,
Infrastructure & Local Taxes that directly affect
job creation, education & annual dues.
Breakdown: 14% lodging tax + 1$ surcharge
State=5% City=7% Chamber=1.75% Heritage=.25%
FUNDING DISTRIBUTION

7. TAXES SAVED EACH
ALABAMA FAMILY
$537
$17M IN 2001
TO $70M IN 2019
280% JACKSON COUNTY
TOURISM JOBS
868
TRAVEL EXPENDITURES
CREATE 1 DIRECT JOB
$119K
IMPACT
SUMMARY
TOURISM IS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

8. 2017 2018 2019 2020
1,000
750
500
250
0
2017 2018 2019 2020
75,000,000
50,000,000
25,000,000
0 2017 2018 2019 2020
300,000
200,000
100,000
0
ON THE RISE
VISITOR SPENDING JOBS LODGING TAX EARNINGS
CURRENTLY DOWN 20% DUE TO COVID-19

9. HISTORICAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Russell Cave - Paved Co. Road 98
Big Bass Splash - Over 16 Years
Riverline Project - Bridgeport
Siege of Bridgeport - STS Event of 2020
1ST Monday Trade Day's - STS Event of 1998
Scottsboro Boy's - Civil Rights Trail
Developed 4 New Road Bike Trails in Jackson County
TOURISM
EXPENDITURES
TIME, TALENTS & FINANCES

10. TOURISM
BENEFITS
THE GOOD
Provides Employment
Opportunites
Generates a need for goods
exchange
Increase local Income
Can be built off current
infrastructure
Spreads Development
Broadens Cultural Horizons
Creates a Favorable Image of
the Destination

11. TOURISM
CONCERNS
THE BAD
Develops excess demand for
resources
Causes inflation
Can result in unbalanced
economic development
Creates Social Problems
Degrades the natural physical
environment
Commercializes culture, religion,
and the arts
Can contribute to the spread of
disease, economic fluctuation, and
transportation problems

12. HOW WE
ADDRESS
BOTH
STRONG PARTNERS
Jackson County Commission
Jackson County EDA
Goose Pond Colony
City of Scottsboro
City of Bridgeport
City of Stevenson
City of Section
City of Skyline
City of Woodville
North Alabama Mountain Lakes
The Alabama State Tourism Office
Legislative Deligation
Local Businesses & Members
Tennessee Riverline
Singing River Trail
and many...many...more...

13. @UNCLAIMEDBAG
@VISITNORTHAL
@CATHEDRALCAVERNSSTATEPARK
@GOOSEPONDCOLONY
@MTLAKESCHAMBER
WHO TO FOLLOW
#VISITNORTHAL

14. WHAT'S THERE
TO DO IN THE AREA?
WHEN
VISITORS
ASK...
@MTLAKESCHAMBER
VISIT.MOUNTAINLAKESCHAMBER.COM

15. LOCAL
ATTRACTIONS
YEARLY VISITS
Unclaimed Baggage Center - 1 Million
Russell Cave National Monument - 25,000
Goose Pond Colony - 180,000
Cathedral Caverns State Park - 60,000
Buck's Pocket State Park - unknown
Scottsboro Boy's Museum - 5,000
Payne's Soda Fountain
Gorham's Bluff
Jackson County Park
SCCI Caving Trips
Walls of Jericho
Skyline Wildlife Management
BBQ, Halelulia, Waterfall, Train Depot Trails

16. WORKING TO PROMOTE
Submit events or view local events -
broken down by season when you visit
MOUNTAINLAKESCHAMBER.COM

17. FUTURE FOCUSED
To travel is just to leave home.
There is so much to see and do in our own
backyards and due to the effects of COVID,
we are seeing increased travelers to the
rural outdoor regions of America.
MOVING
FORWARD

18. 910-545-6911
sstahl@scottsboro.org
407 E. Willow Street
Scottsboro, AL 35768
CELL NUMBER
EMAIL ADDRESS
MAILING ADDRESS
GET IN TOUCH
SARAH STAHL - DIRECTOR
MARKETING & TOURISM @MTLAKESCHAMBER
.