Luxury hotels and golf courses changing Alabama image

Friday, 02 Jan, 2007 0

The state of Alabama’s image as a place to drive through on the way to the beach has rapidly changed in recent years with the growth of luxury hotels and upscale destinations.

Behind the development is the state’s pension fund, which has invested a half billion dollars to Alabama’s largest hotel developer.

Along with the hotels has come a spurt of golf course developments.

There are now more than 10 new golf courses designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.

“The courses started off slowly, but they soon were drawing praise from golf magazines throughout the world. Today, they’re a hit, drawing about 500,000 visitors a year  —  mostly from outside Alabama,” reported the AP.

The state’s Retirement Systems hotel arm, PCH Hotels and Resorts, is now operating 1,464 rooms with another 587 expected this year.

The hotels operate under the Marriott or Renaissance brand. Rates approach $300 a night.

The hotels have also been attracting new regional convention business.

Report by David Wilkening



 

profileimage

David



Most Read

Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know

Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham

Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago

Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research

Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact

Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference

Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role

Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal

Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination

Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness

Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future

Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
TRAINING & COMPETITION
Skip to toolbar
Clearing CSS/JS assets' cache... Please wait until this notice disappears...
Updating... Please wait...