Tag Archives: Mardi Gras

According to Calametti and Peyton, the Mobile Bay area hosts 2.5 million visitors a year, not counting those in Gulf Shore and Orange Beach. Those 2.5 million visitors spend an astounding $829 million per year here. “That’s over $2 million per day in business,” Calametti emphasized.

“But there’s more,” Calametti continued. “The two and a half million folks generate some $9 million in lodging taxes and – here’s the most important part – tourism supports almost 16,000 jobs.

“If tourism was a single company, it would the largest employer in our area by far. In fact,” Calametti pointed out, “you’d have to combine the top three to match that number. Continue reading →